Whooping Cough Claims Infant’s Life

Introduction to the Disease

Whooping cough, a bacterial infection of the lungs and respiratory tract, can be fatal, especially for babies. Eleven infants died of the disease in 2024. The latest death, which occurred between January and June 2025, is the first fatal case of whooping cough in Great Britain this year.

Importance of Vaccination

Pregnant women, as well as infants and small children, are recommended to vaccinate themselves. The admission rate for pregnant women is currently 72.6%. Vaccination during pregnancy, which was introduced at the end of 2012, is "the key to the passive protection of babies" in the first weeks of life. Infants are offered their first stab that protects against whooping cough after eight weeks.

Statistics on Whooping Cough Deaths

Thirty-three infants have died of the disease since 2013. Of these, 27 mothers had not received the vaccine during pregnancy. The recent death serves as a reminder of "how serious whooping cough can be for very young babies." It is essential that pregnant women and young infants receive their vaccines at the right time, ideally between 20 and 32 weeks.

Decline in Vaccine Uptake

The health authority and ministers have recently warned of the decline in vaccine uptake in children. Last year, the proportion of five-year-olds who had received a dose of the MMR vaccine remained at 91.9%, the lowest level since 2010-11. The recording rate for both doses, 83.7%, has been the lowest since 2009-10. The World Health Organization recommends that at least 95% of children should receive vaccine doses to achieve herd immunity.

Government Response

The government has expressed concern about the decline in vaccine uptake and the increase in vaccine hesitancy following the Covid-19 pandemic. To address this, the government plans to launch campaigns to explain the benefits of vaccination and reassure the public that vaccines are 100% safe. The goal is to "win this fight against conspiracy theorists" and improve vaccine uptake rates. Additionally, the government has announced that all young children in Great Britain will be offered a free chickenpox vaccine in the NHS from January 2026.