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A resurgence of whooping cough in England has led to the death of five babies amid warnings of a fall in vaccination rates among expectant mothers.
There were 2,793 new cases of the disease in the first quarter of this year, compared with 858 cases in all of 2023, according to data released by the UK Health Security Agency on Thursday. A total of 1,319 cases were reported in England during the month of March, the public health body said.
The provisional figures for January to March included the deaths of five babies aged under three months, who are most at risk of dying from the disease.
The rise in whooping cough — known clinically as pertussis — follows a big drop in the number of expectant mothers taking up a highly effective antenatal vaccine that protects unborn babies against the disease.
Since 2012 pregnant women have been offered the vaccine, which creates antibodies in the unborn child via the placenta, providing very high rates of protection until the child is old enough to be vaccinated.
The introduction of the antenatal jab reduced the number of infant deaths by two-thirds to 21 between October 2012 and the end of last year, compared with 63 in the 12 years before its introduction.
However, uptake has dropped from more than 70 per cent in September 2017, to about 58 per cent in September 2023.
“Vaccination remains the best defence against whooping cough and it is vital that pregnant women and young infants receive their vaccines at the right time,” said Dr Gayatri Amirthalingam, consultant epidemiologist at the UKHSA.
“Whopping cough can affect people of all ages, but for very young babies it can be extremely serious. Our thoughts and condolences are with those families who have so tragically lost their baby.”
Professor Sir Stephen Powis, national medical director for the NHS in England, added that it was “vital” families come forward and get vaccinated.
The call comes amid a wider battle to boost vaccination rates for dangerous childhood diseases, with jab hesitancy stoked during the pandemic. A resurgence of measles in England was also reported earlier this year.
“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 show symptoms ask for an urgent GP appointment or get help from NHS 111,” Prof Powis said.