PAHO urges urgent action to close the whooping cough vaccination gap
News overview
The Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) is calling for a major boost in pertussis vaccination uptake across the Americas, as multiple countries report a sharp rise in whooping cough cases.
In 2022, there were 3,284 pertussis cases in the region. By the following year, the tally had surged to 66,184, and 2025 is projected to exceed that figure even more. The message is clear: high, steady vaccination coverage is essential, especially for children under five.
“Whooping cough is preventable with vaccines, yet its resurgence reveals gaps in both immunization and surveillance systems,” said Dr. Daniel Salas, executive manager of PAHO’s integrated immunization program, in a PAHO press release. “Maintaining strong vaccination rates, particularly for young children, is crucial to protect the most vulnerable and prevent outbreaks.”
U.S. case counts lead the region in 2025
PAHO notes that vaccination coverage dipped during the COVID-19 era, with first-dose (DTP1) coverage at 87% and third-dose (DTP3) at 81%. Recent years have seen a partial rebound, with 89% and 87% coverage respectively, though substantial country-level differences persist.
An epidemiologic report from PAHO highlights that the United States has recorded by far the most pertussis cases in 2025, totaling 25,057 confirmed or probable infections and 13 deaths. Washington, California, and Florida report the highest case numbers. Peru follows with about 3,200 cases and 49 deaths.
Across all countries, infant deaths remain most common in children under the age of 1.
FDA approves US-made antibiotic under priority review framework
News update
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved a locally manufactured version of the oral antibiotic Augmentin XR (amoxicillin-clavulanate potassium) under a pilot program designed to accelerate drug reviews.
This marks the inaugural approval under the Commissioner’s National Priority Voucher (CNPV) program, launched in June. FDA officials stated the approval process took just two months, whereas typical reviews take about 10–12 months.
Augmentin XR is an extended-release form of Augmentin, originally developed by GSK and approved by the FDA in 2002. It is prescribed for community-acquired bacterial pneumonia and acute bacterial sinusitis in both adults and children. Notably, as recently as 2024, it appeared on Biopharma Dive’s list of discontinued FDA drug products.
Manufacturing locally to bolster supply and security
The FDA’s approval, granted to USAntibiotics of Bristol, Tennessee, aims to strengthen domestic pharmaceutical manufacturing and mitigate antibiotic shortages linked to global supply chains. Augmentin XR has experienced two shortages in recent years. The Bristol plant was previously owned by GSK before the company sold its U.S. penicillin operations in 2010.
USAntibiotics was among nine firms selected by the FDA for the CNPV program in October, with six additional companies receiving vouchers subsequently. The pilot program targets products addressing large unmet medical needs, supports domestic production, and seeks to improve drug affordability.
FDA Commissioner Marty Makary emphasized that America is reasserting control over its essential medicine supply chains and moving toward domestic manufacturing. He noted that this first CNPV-backed drug approval will strengthen domestic production and enhance national security.
USAntibiotics president Patrick Cashman described domestic pharmaceutical manufacturing as a national security imperative, not a luxury, and expressed gratitude for FDA and policymakers prioritizing the production of generic critical medicines.
New avian flu outbreaks reported in five states
News update
The USDA’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) reports new highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) outbreaks in five states.
Indiana is the hardest hit, with more than 15,000 birds affected across three commercial duck-meat facilities in Elkhart, LaGrange, and Noble counties, plus another 19,400 birds at a poultry facility in LaGrange. Other outbreaks include a commercial poultry operation in North Dakota and backyard flocks in Washington, Wyoming, and West Virginia.
HPAI tends to spike in fall and spring as wild birds spread the virus during migration. In the past month, 108 flocks (44 commercial, 64 backyard) have been impacted, affecting roughly 1.16 million birds.
Vultures in Ohio also test positive for bird flu
Ohio health authorities report preliminary lab results indicating that two dead vultures found in Pierce Township succumbed to HPAI. They are among over 70 vultures discovered dead on a school’s athletic fields near Cincinnati on December 1.
Clermont County Public Health says final confirmation of presumptive HPAI as the cause will take about 10 days.
Note: editorial and factual integrity are maintained while rewording and expanding explanations for clarity. If you’d like, I can tailor this rewrite for a specific audience (health professionals, general readers, policymakers) or adjust the balance between data and context.
