Another baby has died from whooping cough in England, bringing the total to 10 since the start of the latest outbreak in November 2003.
Latest data from the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) showed that the number of confirmed laboratory cases of whooping cough has surpassed 10,000. While most cases were in those aged 15 years or older, more than 300 have been reported in babies under three months, who are at greatest risk from the infection.
UKHSA officials have described it as a ‘cyclical’ disease, where the number of cases peak every few years. They have also said there is reduced immunity against the disease in the general public due to the coronavirus pandemic.
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Whooping cough, also known as pertussis, is caused by a bacterium that is transmitted by coughing, sneezing or sharing the same breathing space as an infected person. Early signs include mild, cold-like symptoms, a low fever and occasional coughing.
UKSHA has urged pregnant women to get the whooping cough vaccine to protect their babies before they are old enough to receive the vaccine themselves. But UKSHA data shows a drop in vaccine uptake across the country, both among pregnant women and babies.
Uptake of maternal vaccines fell to an average of 59% in late 2023, with rates as low as 30% in north-east London. The number of two-year-olds who completed their six-in-one vaccinations as of September 2023 was 92.9 per cent, compared with 96.3 per cent in March 2014.
Responding to the latest figures and outbreak of whooping cough, Dr Mary Ramsay, the director of immunisation at UKHSA, said that vaccination is the ‘best defence against whooping cough’.
‘Pregnant women are offered a whooping cough vaccine in every pregnancy, ideally between 20 and 32 weeks. This passes protection to their baby in the womb so that they are protected from birth in the first months of their life when they are most vulnerable and before they can receive their own vaccines.’
Pregnant women can access the vaccine – which also protects against diphtheria and tetanus – through their GP or antenatal services.