<P> An estimated 16.3 million people worldwide were infected in 2015 . Most cases occur in the developing world , and people of all ages may be affected . In 2015 , it resulted in 58,700 deaths -- down from 138,000 deaths in 1990 . Nearly 0.5 % of infected children less than one year of age die . Outbreaks of the disease were first described in the 16th century . The bacterium that causes the infection was discovered in 1906 . The pertussis vaccine became available in the 1940s . </P>
when did they start vaccinating for whooping cough
the 1940s