Nine babies have died from whooping cough in England since November 2023, according to the UK Health Security Agency. The latest data shows 2,591 confirmed cases in May alone, with a total of 7,599 cases reported since January.
Experts are concerned about the increase in cases this year for this bacterial infection, which can be especially dangerous for young infants. They emphasize the importance of vaccinations for pregnant women and children to protect against whooping cough.
Cases of whooping cough tend to rise cyclically every three to five years. The last peak was in 2016, with nearly 5,945 cases reported. During the pandemic, fewer people received vaccinations, leading to reduced immunity in the population and possibly contributing to the current increase in cases.
Vaccination rates among pregnant women have also fluctuated, with 58.9% receiving vaccinations in March 2024, down from a high of 72.6% in March 2017. The UK Health Security Agency stresses the critical need for pregnant women to get vaccinated between 20 and 32 weeks of pregnancy to pass protection to their babies.
All babies are offered vaccinations against whooping cough at eight, 12, and 16 weeks old, with additional boosters offered later. Symptoms of whooping cough can initially resemble a cold but progress to severe coughing fits, particularly in infants, who may also struggle to breathe.
Public health advice includes staying at home and avoiding school or work until antibiotics have been taken for 48 hours or symptoms have resolved, to prevent the spread of the infection.
