In March 2024 the UKHSA revealed that new data show a “continued increase” in cases of pertussis (whooping cough) at the start of the year. The statement from the agency indicates that this increase comes after a “prolonged period of low case numbers” due to COVID-19 restrictions. Although cases of whooping cough “rise cyclically every few years”, UKHSA is concerned that there has been a “steady decline in uptake” of the vaccine in pregnant women and children. Whooping cough is a bacterial infection that affects the lungs.
January data
The data show a dramatic increase compared to the whole of the previous year (2023). In January, there were 553 confirmed cases in England, whereas the country reported a total of 858 in 2023. In 2016 there was a peak in cases with 5,949. The data also reveal that 22 infants under the age of 3 months were diagnosed with whooping cough. These children, too young to be fully vaccinated, are at “greater risk of severe disease” and death.
With the increase taking off so quickly already, the UKHSA has moved to a monthly reporting cycle for whooping cough infections to offer “timely information” on disease rates. This will allow public health teams to respond to outbreaks and support health professionals as they deliver the routine vaccination programme.
Get protected
In response to the increase in cases, UKHSA is encouraging pregnant women to get protected so that their newborns are protected. It states that vaccination of pregnant women is 97% effective at preventing death in infants from whooping cough. Furthermore, parents and carers are urged to check that their children are vaccinated. The current schedule offers vaccines to infants at 8, 12, and 16 weeks old (within the 6-in-1 combination vaccine), with a further dose in the pre-school booster vaccine.
Unfortunately, a recent decline in uptake of vaccinations has become noticeable; the number of 2-year-olds who had completed their 6-in-1 vaccinations by September 2023 was at 92.9%, which was lower than 96.3% in March 2014. Furthermore, uptake of the maternal pertussis vaccine, which is offered to every woman in pregnancy, dropped from over 70% in September 2017 to around 58% in September 2023.
The new campaign
The latest reminders feature in the UKHSA’s recent Childhood Immunisation Campaign, which calls upon parents and carers to check that their children are protected against measles and other serious diseases. Dr Gayatri Amirthalingam, Consultant Epidemiologist at UKHSA, commented that, while whooping cough “can affect people of all ages”, it can be “particularly serious” for very young infants.
“However, vaccinating pregnant women is highly effective in protecting babies from birth until they can receive their own vaccines. Parents can also help protect their children by ensuring they receive their vaccines at the right time or catching up as soon as possible if they have missed any.”
Steve Russell, National Director for Vaccinations and Screening at NHS England, emphasised the importance of families taking the protection offered by the vaccine.
“If you are pregnant and have not been vaccinated yet, or your child is not up-to-date with whooping cough or other routine vaccinations, please contact your GP as soon as possible, and if you or your child have symptoms ask for an urgent GP appointment or get help from NHS 111.
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