Surge in Whooping Cough Cases, New Flu Vaccine, and the Alcohol-Cancer Link: Key Health Updates

The AMA Update covers a wide range of health-related topics that affect physicians, residents, medical students, and patients. These topics span issues like COVID-19, burnout, vaccines, and more, with insights from experts in healthcare, from private practice leaders to public health officials.

Some pressing questions recently discussed include the effectiveness of the whooping cough vaccine, the possible link between alcohol and cancer, the name of the new flu vaccine, and what a challenge study for vaccine development entails.

In a recent AMA Update, Todd Unger, AMA’s Chief Experience Officer, discussed some of these crucial health issues with Andrea Garcia, JD, MPH, the Vice President of Science, Medicine, and Public Health at the AMA. Garcia provided detailed insights on the recent surge in whooping cough cases, the approval of a new flu vaccine, and the growing body of research connecting alcohol to cancer.

The Surge in Whooping Cough Cases

Unger started by addressing the topic of whooping cough, or pertussis, for the first time this year. Garcia noted that cases of whooping cough are on the rise. “The CDC reported on Friday that, according to preliminary data, cases of pertussis or whooping cough have more than quadrupled what they were at this point last year, with more than 14,000 infections to date. This is the highest number of whooping cough infections we’ve seen since 2014,” she stated.

One key concern is that the increase in cases shows no sign of slowing down. Whooping cough cases had significantly declined during the pandemic, likely due to COVID-19 mitigation measures. However, before the pandemic, pertussis cases had been on an upward trend.

Why Pertussis is Dangerous

Pertussis is a respiratory illness caused by bacteria that leads to severe, painful coughing fits. The illness gets its common name, whooping cough, because of the “whoop” sound patients make while trying to catch their breath after coughing. Garcia explained the severity of the condition, noting that in some cases, the coughing is so intense that it can cause vomiting or even broken ribs.

Although antibiotics can treat pertussis in its early stages, early diagnosis can be tricky because initial symptoms are similar to a common cold, such as a runny nose, sneezing, and low-grade fever. As Garcia pointed out, “By the time that deep cough develops, it’s too late, and the only treatment is comfort care with rest and fluids while the infection runs its course.”

The Importance of Vaccination Against Whooping Cough

Pertussis vaccines provide effective protection against the disease, but immunity wanes over time. Children receive five doses of the DTaP vaccine by age six, with a booster at age 11 to 12, and adults should get boosters every ten years. Pregnant individuals are recommended to get vaccinated between 27 and 36 weeks of pregnancy, which allows antibodies to pass to the newborn, protecting them before they’re eligible for their own vaccines.

Garcia mentioned that researchers are exploring new vaccines that could offer longer-lasting protection and reduce transmission. “On Friday, we saw the FDA’s Vaccines and Related Biological Products Advisory Committee convene to hear from labs in Canada and the UK, as they presented their models for human challenge trials for pertussis,” she explained. These trials would involve intentionally exposing subjects to the infection, which could help test new vaccines. However, ethical concerns and doubts about the model’s ability to measure protection against severe disease were raised.

New Flu Vaccine Approved for Self-Administration

The conversation then shifted to the flu vaccine, with Unger asking about the latest developments. Garcia shared the news of the FDA’s approval of the first-ever flu vaccine that can be self-administered at home. “The vaccine itself, FluMist, isn’t new. It’s a nasal spray manufactured by AstraZeneca that has been used to protect against the flu in the U.S. for more than 20 years,” Garcia said. What’s new is that adults will now be able to administer the vaccine themselves at home, while children can receive it with the help of a caregiver. However, the self-administered version won’t be available until the next flu season.

When asked about the potential impact on flu vaccination rates, Garcia expressed cautious optimism. “Some physicians welcome more accessible options but don’t expect self-administration to significantly change vaccination rates. That said, Dr. Peter Marks from the FDA said it will provide greater convenience, flexibility, and accessibility for individuals and families.”

Despite the ease of access, flu vaccination rates in the U.S. have been declining, with only about half of adults and children receiving the vaccine last season. Garcia emphasized the importance of making vaccination more accessible to counteract this trend.

Alcohol and Cancer: A Growing Concern

Unger next brought up a recent report linking alcohol consumption to cancer, which made several headlines. Garcia explained that the report, released by the American Association for Cancer Research, highlights the risks associated with excessive alcohol consumption. “This new report says that alcohol may be one of the factors driving the trend of increasing cancer rates among adults under 50,” she said.

The report found that excessive alcohol consumption increases the risk of six types of cancer, including head and neck cancers, breast cancer, colorectal cancer, liver cancer, and stomach cancer. “We know that about 5.4% of cancers in the U.S., or just over one in 20 cancer diagnoses, were attributed to alcohol consumption in 2019,” Garcia noted.

She added that around 40% of cancer cases are associated with modifiable risk factors, including alcohol consumption, tobacco use, and diet. Reducing alcohol consumption, maintaining a healthy weight, and exercising can lower cancer risk.

Confusion Around Alcohol and Heart Health

There’s been confusion in recent years regarding the relationship between alcohol consumption and heart health. For years, moderate alcohol consumption was thought to have protective effects on heart health, but recent studies challenge that belief. Garcia pointed to a large study that followed 135,000 older British adults for more than a decade, which found that moderate drinkers did not experience a reduction in heart disease risk compared to occasional drinkers.

In fact, moderate and light drinkers showed higher rates of cancer deaths. Garcia noted that while many still believe in the benefits of moderate alcohol consumption, these potential benefits may not outweigh the cancer risks. “There are many ways to keep your heart healthy, and these potential benefits don’t really outweigh your cancer risks,” Garcia added.

Raising Awareness About the Risks

Addressing what can be done about these rising concerns, Garcia emphasized the need for public awareness campaigns and cancer-specific warning labels on alcohol. Studies show that many people, especially younger women, are unaware of the link between alcohol and cancer. Fewer than one-third of women aged 18 to 25, for example, knew that alcohol increases their risk of breast cancer.

While more research is needed to understand all the factors behind rising cancer rates, especially colorectal cancer, there’s a growing consensus that reducing alcohol consumption is a critical step in cancer prevention. “We need to raise awareness through public messaging campaigns and adding cancer-specific warning labels to alcoholic beverages,” Garcia concluded.

With the flu season approaching and concerns about cancer and whooping cough on the rise, staying informed about these health issues is essential.