Whooping cough vaccine plea as cases rise

Vaccine uptake in young children has fallen as cases climb in England

Pregnant women have been urged to get vaccinated to protect new-born babies against whooping cough infections as cases rises across a city region.

NHS Greater Manchester has reported a spike in cases in 2024, consistent with surge of more than 7,599 confirmed infections across England since January.

There has been a fall in vaccine uptake for the disease.

Dr Claire Lake from NHS Greater Manchester said it was "more important than ever" that pregnant women and young children receive the jab.

'Vital'

Health authorities in Greater Manchester have recorded 400 probable and 126 possible whooping cough cases since the start of 2024.

Meanwhile, vaccine uptake among children under the age of 10 has fallen from 97.5% 2012 to 81.8% at the end of last year.

Regional NHS figures show only 52.9% of pregnant women chosen to have the whooping cough jab between January and March this year.

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Experts have raised the alarm that 2024 could see a significant peak in the cyclical bacterial infection, with spikes in England and other countries.

Whooping cough can affect the lungs and cause prolonged coughing, with new-born babies particularly vulnerable to the disease.

Dr Lake, who is an NHS deputy chief medical officer, said vaccination during pregnancy is vital as the protection is passed onto the baby through the transfer of antibodies.

She urged pregnant women or parents of young children who have not been vaccinated to contact a GP to book an appointment "as soon as possible".