Despite a slight decrease in overall cases, Kazakhstan faces a resurgence of whooping cough driven by low vaccination coverage among children, highlighting ongoing challenges in immunisation efforts.
Kazakhstan has recorded 250 cases of whooping cough since the start of the year, with health officials saying the illness has hit unvaccinated children particularly hard. According to Qazinform and Infohub.kz, 91% of cases were among unvaccinated children under five, underscoring the role immunisation plays in limiting spread.
The Ministry of Health said the number of cases is about 10% lower than in the same period in 2025, a decline it linked to routine and extra vaccination campaigns. More than 361,000 children received scheduled whooping cough shots over the past seven months, including infants under one, one-year-olds and six-year-olds, while 107,500 children and teenagers up to the age of 18 were given catch-up doses to make up for missed vaccinations, according to the reports.
Officials said there had been no reported adverse reactions, which they cited as evidence of the vaccine’s safety and quality. The ministry has also described whooping cough as a disease that can rise in cycles every three to five years, especially when enough children remain without immunity.
The latest figures fit a wider pattern in Kazakhstan, where public-health officials have repeatedly warned that missed routine vaccinations and refusals have weakened collective immunity. In 2023, the country saw a sharp rise in whooping cough and measles, and health authorities said large numbers of unvaccinated children were behind much of the increase.
Disclaimer: This content is for informational purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical judgment, advice, diagnosis, or treatment.
