The number of whooping cough cases in the UK has sharply increased, prompting health officials to express concerns about declining vaccine uptake. In January alone, 553 new cases of the highly contagious infection were reported, according to the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA). This is a significant rise compared to the total of 858 cases recorded for the entirety of 2023.
Whooping cough, or pertussis, is a bacterial infection that affects the lungs and airways and can lead to severe health issues. Initially, symptoms resemble a common cold, but within a week, patients may experience intense coughing fits, especially at night. In young babies, these coughing bouts can cause difficulty breathing and a distinctive “whoop” sound.
The infection spreads easily, but case numbers had previously declined during the pandemic due to reduced social interactions. The recent surge in cases, however, coincides with a steady decrease in vaccination rates among pregnant women and children.
Health officials are urging parents to ensure their children are vaccinated against whooping cough, with the UKHSA reminding pregnant women to also get vaccinated. The vaccine is administered as part of the six-in-one jab given to babies at eight, 12, and 16 weeks of age.
As of September 2023, 92.9% of two-year-olds had completed their six-in-one vaccinations, down from 96.3% in March 2014.
Dr. Gayatri Amirthalingam, a consultant epidemiologist at UKHSA, highlighted the importance of vaccination, especially for young infants. “Vaccinating pregnant women is highly effective in protecting babies from birth until they can receive their own vaccines,” she said, encouraging parents to ensure their children receive their vaccines on time.
Steve Russell, the national director for vaccinations and screening at NHS England, advised people to contact their GP to book a vaccination appointment. Those experiencing symptoms of whooping cough should seek an urgent GP appointment or contact NHS 111. People with the infection are advised to stay at home for 48 hours after starting antibiotics, or for three weeks after symptoms begin if antibiotics have not been administered.