Doctor warns that number of whooping cough deaths 'may well rise'

Five babies have died of whooping cough amid fears of the worst outbreak in 40 years.

Almost 3,000 cases have been reported so far this year, three times the total for the whole of 2023.

The babies, who were all under three months, died from January to March.

Experts blame the surge in infections on a fall in vaccination uptake, a less effective jab and reduced community immunity caused by lockdowns. It is believed that three of the five grieving mothers had jabs during pregnancy to protect their children.

Doctors said last night that vaccination remained the best defence and urged parents to check their children’s jabs were up to date. Data shows the number of deaths so far this year is the highest since 2014.

Dr Saleyha Ahsan warned that the overall number of whooping cough deaths ‘may well rise’, with reported figures expected to increase by mid-May.

Dr Saleyha Ahsan (pictured) warned that the overall number of whooping cough deaths ‘may well rise’

As contagious as measles, whooping cough can be severe in babies under six months and lead to long-term complications (stock photo)

The first signs of the illness, which is also known as pertussis or the ‘100-day cough’, are similar to a cold

She wrote in an article for the Daily Mail: ‘There is, inevitably, a lag between deaths and official reported figures, so already, by mid-May, the number of deaths is thought to be higher.

‘And with paediatric intensive care units now on ‘surge capacity’ because of both pertussis, and measles – which means in essence there are many cases – that number may well, tragically, rise.’

The first signs of the illness, which is also known as pertussis or the ‘100-day cough’, are similar to a cold. But after about a week it can develop into long coughing bouts that are typically worse at night.

As contagious as measles, whooping cough can be severe in babies under six months and lead to long-term complications.

It is the latest disease associated with the Victorian era to make a comeback, with similar outbreaks of measles and scarlet fever.

Prior to routine vaccination being introduced in 1957, outbreaks in the UK could affect up to 150,000 people and kill 300 in a single year.

Gayatri Amirthalingam, consultant epidemiologist at the UK Health Security Agency, yesterday sent her condolences to ‘those families who have so tragically lost their baby’.

She added: ‘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.

‘Whooping cough can affect people of all ages but for very young babies it can be extremely serious.’ Paul Hunter, professor in medicine at the University of East Anglia, said the latest rise in cases was fuelled by factors including falling vaccination uptake and reduced community transmission during lockdowns.

A newer vaccine introduced in the 1990s because it is safer with fewer side effects may also be slightly less effective, he suggested. ‘If it is true that three of these women were vaccinated, it is quite worrying,’ he said.

‘It used to be much more common in the last century up until the vaccine was introduced. However, this current year looks like we may see more cases than we have seen in any of the last 40 years.’

Just one baby died last year from whooping cough, the first fatality since 2019. But officials are concerned that just a quarter of expectant mothers have had the pertussis jab – offered between 16 and 32 weeks – in parts of London. Rates are below half in other parts of the capital and in Birmingham. Uptake of the six-in-one jab – offered to babies in the first four months of life – are also at an all-time low. Just 91.8 per cent were fully vaccinated by their first birthday in 2022/23, according to NHS figures, below the 95 per cent target.

GPs and the wider NHS have been alerted and are being encouraged to test anyone with symptoms to allow close monitoring of numbers (stock photo)

A newer vaccine introduced in the 1990s because it is safer with fewer side effects may also be slightly less effective (stock photo)

Of the 21 deaths from whooping cough between 2012 and 2023, 19 involved babies or mothers who were unvaccinated.

Yet of the recent fatalities, just two are not thought to have had the jab which was introduced in 2012 to protect newborns too young to be vaccinated themselves. Officials are now keen to ramp up vaccination rates to stifle the spread, which has been seen across all regions. Professor Sir Stephen Powis, medical director of the NHS, said: ‘With cases of whooping cough continuing to rise sharply across the country, and these figures sadly showing five infant deaths, it is vital that families come forward to get the protection they need.

‘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.’

GPs and the wider NHS have been alerted and are being encouraged to test anyone with symptoms to allow close monitoring of numbers.

Steve Brine, chairman of the Commons health committee, called for ‘rapid action to prevent a further fall in the uptake of vaccinations across the country’.

Accusing ministers of failing to heed the lessons of Covid-19, he repeated calls to give medical and nursing students and recently retired staff a greater role in boosting declining rates.

He said: ‘In the light of today’s sad news, I urge the Government to rethink its approach and follow steps we have outlined to boost vaccination uptake across the country.’

A Department of Health spokesman said: ‘We are committed to improving vaccination uptake rates to fully protect the public from preventable diseases and are urging people to make sure they and their children have received all appropriate jabs. The vaccine is proven to be safe and effective.’

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