Health leaders in the North West are urging parents of young babies and pregnant mums to ensure they have the pertussis (whooping cough) vaccine amid a big drop in vaccine uptake and rising whooping cough infections.

The region has the lowest uptake of pertussis vaccine in pregnant women outside of London, with NHS England data showing the proportion of mums to be having the vaccine has fallen dramatically since before the COVID-19 pandemic, from 70.9% in April 2019 to 55.7% in September 2023.

The North West also has the second lowest vaccine uptake nationally in babies, who are offered the pertussis vaccine as part of the 6-in-1 combination vaccine at 8, 12 and 16 weeks of age, and an additional dose included in the pre-school booster vaccine.

The appeal to get vaccinated came as the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) announced an increase in whooping cough infections across England at the start of this year, with 553 confirmed in England in January, compared with 856 cases for the whole of last year (2023).

Whooping cough is an infection of the lungs and breathing tubes caused by Bordetella pertussis bacteria. It spreads very easily and can sometimes cause serious problems, especially in babies under one-year-old.

Tricia Spedding, Deputy Head of Public Health at NHS England – North West said: “The drop in uptake of the pertussis vaccine in the North West is worrying, as although anyone can catch whooping cough, the infection can be very serious in young babies.

“If you are pregnant and have not been vaccinated, or if your child hasn’t yet had the 6-in-1 combination vaccine, please contact your GP surgery to book an appointment to get the protection from whooping cough as soon as possible. If you’re unsure, check your child’s red book (health record).

“Vaccination remains the very best protection for babies and children from becoming unwell with whooping cough.”

Mums-to-be are offered the vaccine in pregnancy, so their baby has protection against whooping cough from birth, and are urged to talk to their midwives for any more information.

This reminder is part of the new national Childhood Immunisation Campaign urging parents to check the vaccination status of their children against measles and other serious diseases, which went live across a range of media and social media channels on 29 February. The campaign was developed in the region, based on insight and feedback from North West parents.

Parents are being asked to respond to invites from the NHS or to book an appointment with their GP practice if their child has not received all their routine vaccines.

Dr Merav Kliner, Deputy Director of UKHSA North West, said: “Whooping cough, also known as pertussis, affects all ages. It can cause severe complications in very young babies who are more likely to be admitted to hospital if they become unwell with infection.  Vaccination is the most effective way to protect from the infection; children should receive the vaccination at two, three and four months old and have a pre-school booster after they are three. There is also a vaccination for pregnant women to provide protection for their babies.

“Parents can also help protect their children by ensuring they receive their vaccines at the right time or catching up as soon as possible if they have missed any. If you’re unsure, please check your child’s red book or get in touch with your GP surgery.”

The first signs of infection are similar to a cold, such as a runny nose and sore throat, but after about a week, the infection can develop into coughing bouts that last for a few minutes and are typically worse at night. If anyone in your family is diagnosed with whooping cough, it’s important they stay at home and do not go into work, school or nursery until 48 hours after starting antibiotics, or 3 weeks after symptoms start if they have not had antibiotics.