Urgent Call for Whooping Cough Vaccination After Baby’s Death

Public health officials in Northern Lincolnshire are urgently urging pregnant women to receive the whooping cough vaccine following the tragic death of a baby in the UK. The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) confirmed that this incident marks the first fatal case of whooping cough in the country for 2023, occurring between January and June.

Joanna Melia, a public health midwife at Hull Women and Children’s Hospital, expressed deep sorrow over the incident, stating, “It very sadly shows the very real consequences of not getting vaccinated during pregnancy.” Her remarks highlight the potential severity of the disease and the importance of vaccination to protect both mothers and their newborns.

The whooping cough vaccination has been recommended for pregnant women for the past 13 years. According to Sarah Wise, consultant midwife in public health, a study involving approximately 20,000 vaccinations found no evidence of risks to pregnancy or unborn babies. She emphasized, “Rather than putting your baby at risk, scientific research proves vaccination against whooping cough is the best way you can protect your child in those first few weeks.”

Whooping cough is a serious respiratory infection that can cause prolonged coughing and choking, making it difficult to breathe. The characteristic “whoop” sound occurs when individuals gasp for breath after coughing, although infants may not always exhibit this noise.

Research by the NHS Humber Health Partnership revealed that of the 32 babies who died from whooping cough between 2013 and 2025, 26 had mothers who did not receive the vaccine during their pregnancies. Last year alone, eleven babies succumbed to the disease, with the recent case being the first reported fatality this year.

Pregnant women are advised to receive the whooping cough vaccine around the time of their mid-pregnancy scan, typically at 20 weeks. The vaccine can be administered as early as 16 weeks and should ideally be received before reaching 32 weeks of pregnancy. Dr. Gayatri Amirthalingam, deputy director at the UKHSA, reinforced the urgency of vaccination, stating, “It is vital that pregnant women and young infants receive their vaccines at the right time, ideally between 20 and 32 weeks. This passes protection to their baby in the womb so that they are protected from birth.”

Dr. Amirthalingam extended her condolences to the bereaved family, emphasizing the importance of vaccination during pregnancy. She urged expectant mothers approaching the 20-week mark to consult with their general practitioner or midwife if they have not yet been offered the whooping cough vaccine.

The call for vaccination underscores a critical public health message: timely vaccination can significantly reduce the risk of serious illness in newborns. As health officials continue to advocate for prenatal immunizations, it is essential for pregnant women to stay informed and take proactive steps to protect their health and that of their babies.