TENTH baby death from whooping cough as infections rise to 10,000 – and health leaders renew calls for pregnant women to get vaccinated

Another baby has died from whooping cough, bringing the tragic total number of deaths from the infection in England to 10, public health officials have announced.

Latest data shows that the total number of cases this year has already reached 10,000.

Between January and June, the number of monthly cases rose from 555 to almost 2,500. Whooping cough peaked in May, with 3,052 infections.

The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has warned of “very high” levels of the disease in the second quarter of this year, exceeding those seen in the last major outbreak in 2012.

Although anyone can be affected, young babies and vulnerable groups are at greatest risk of serious illness.

UKHSA is again calling on pregnant women to be vaccinated against the infection. The vaccination will protect their babies in the womb.

All babies receive three doses of the 6-in-1 shot at 8, 12 and 16 weeks of age to protect against whooping cough and other serious diseases such as diphtheria and polio. A booster is given at nursery school at 3 years and 4 months of age.

Dr Mary Ramsay, director of immunisation at the UK Health Security Agency, said:

The latest figures on vaccination coverage for pregnant women to protect newborn babies against whooping cough continue to decline. In March 2024, the vaccination coverage was 58.9%, compared to the peak coverage (72.6%) in March 2017.