‘Really worrying’ rise in cases of killer whooping cough as vaccine rates plummet to seven-year low

A "REALLY worrying" rise in the number of people catching whooping cough in the UK has been reported by health officials.

The bug, also known as pertussis, spreads incredibly easily, and a fall in vaccination rates is leaving more children in hospital with the illness.

As many as 716 could have been infected with whooping cough in England and Wales between July and November 26 - over treble the 217 cases reported during the same period in 2022, the government data revealed.

The UK Health Security (UKHSA) figures come from medical practitioners referring suspected cases to the local authority or health protection team.

West Midlands health chiefs are urging pregnant mothers to get vaccinated after reporting a rise in cases.

Liann Brookes-Smith, Sandwell’s interim director of public health, said: “Whooping cough can lead to serious ill health for infants. However, it is preventable in most cases.

"The vaccine ensures babies have high levels of protection against this dangerous illness."

He added: “The best time to get vaccinated is between 16 and 32 weeks of pregnancy, but if mothers miss this date, they can still get it later in their pregnancy – although the sooner, the better.”

Babies under six months old with whooping cough have an increased risk of pneumonia and seizures.

Globally, pertussis kills hundreds of thousands of children annually, according to the World Health Organsation (WHO).

There were nine suspected cases of whooping cough in the West Midlands between November 19 to 26, up from just two in the week ending October 29, one month earlier.

A total of 52 cases were reported across England and Wales in the week ending November 26, almost 50 per cent more than the 35 cases in the week ending October 29.

Speaking to The Sun, Dr Gayatri Amirthalingam, of the UKHSA, said the rise in cases nationally was "expected".

“Social distancing and lockdown measures imposed across the UK during the Covid-19 pandemic had a significant impact on the spread of infections, including whooping cough," they said.

"As expected, we are now seeing cases of whooping cough increase again, so it’s vital pregnant women ensure they get vaccinated to protect their baby.”

Vaccination rates, however, had been falling in the UK before the Covid pandemic.

The  UKHSA data on the maternal whooping cough vaccine programme shows that uptake of the jab has dropped to its lowest level in seven years.

Figures for 2022 show an average uptake across England of 61.5 per cent, a decrease of 3.9 per cent since 2021 and 7.6 per cent from 2020.

Coverage in London is particularly low at just 41.4 per cent.

The vaccine for pregnant women was brought in in 2012 because of high disease rates in infants.

It works by causing the mother’s immune system to produce protective antibodies to the bacteria, which are then passed to her child through the placenta.

Suzanne Hartwell, deputy leader of Sandwell Council, added: “It is really worrying to see that whooping cough cases have increased again regionally, especially when this has led to some babies being hospitalised.

"This illness can easily be prevented. I would urge everyone to help protect children by getting vaccinated when asked to.”

How can it be treated?

The NHS advises people see their GP if they or their child have the symptoms of whooping cough, or have had a cough for more than three weeks that is getting worse.

If you or your child are having significant breathing difficulties, fits or signs of pneumonia call 999 or go to your nearest A&E.

Children under six months and people with severe symptoms will normally be admitted to hospital for treatment.

People diagnosed in the first three weeks of the infection may be given antibiotics, but after this point, they are not considered to be helpful.

While people recover, medical professionals advise plenty of rest, lots of fluids and paracetamol or ibuprofen to treat a fever.