A significant increase in whooping cough cases in England, with officials reporting 553 instances in January alone, has raised concerns about the potential for a record outbreak year. This bacterial infection, also known as Pertussis or "100-day cough," poses a severe risk to infants and young children. The UK Health Security Agency has highlighted a concerning trend of decreased vaccination rates among pregnant women and children, which could be contributing to the rise in cases.

In England, the vaccination completion rate for two-year-olds receiving the “six-in-one” vaccine, which includes a whooping cough component, has declined from 96.3% in March 2014 to 92.9% in September 2023. Similarly, the vaccination rate among pregnant women has fallen from over 70% in September 2017 to approximately 58% in September 2023, despite recommendations for vaccination in every pregnancy.

Whooping cough initially mimics the common cold, featuring symptoms such as a runny nose and sore throat. However, it can escalate into severe coughing fits, especially at night, and young infants may exhibit a characteristic "whoop" sound after coughing or struggle to breathe. The disease spreads through respiratory droplets from coughs and sneezes.

Steve Russell, NHS England's National Director for Vaccinations and Screening, emphasises the importance of vaccination to protect against whooping cough. He urges pregnant women who have not yet been vaccinated and parents of unvaccinated children to seek vaccination promptly.