A baby dying from whooping cough in the UK has once again highlighted the importance of vaccination during pregnancy and early childhood. Health experts are warning that the deaths reported between January and June 2025 is a tragic reminder of the risks that come with low vaccine uptake. This case is the first infant death caused by whooping cough in the UK this year, yet the circumstances surrounding it reflect a much wider public health concern that has been growing for over a decade.
Whooping cough, also known as pertussis, is a bacterial infection that affects the lungs and airways. It is particularly dangerous for infants under two months old, who are too young to have received their first vaccine dose. In severe cases, the infection can cause life-threatening breathing difficulties, pneumonia, seizures, or brain damage. Globally, whooping cough remains one of the leading vaccine-preventable causes of infant mortality. In the UK, 11 babies died from it in 2024 alone, and since 2013, at least 33 infants have lost their lives, with the vast majority linked to unvaccinated mothers during pregnancy.
The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has emphasized that vaccinating pregnant women is the most effective way to protect newborns in their earliest weeks of life. When a woman is vaccinated between 20 and 32 weeks of pregnancy, her body produces antibodies that are passed on to the baby through the placenta. These antibodies provide protection until the baby is old enough to receive their first scheduled dose at eight weeks. Data shows that of the 33 infant deaths recorded in the past decade, 27 occurred in cases where the mother had not been vaccinated during pregnancy. This underlines the role of maternal immunization as a frontline defense.
Current data reveal that vaccine uptake among pregnant women in the UK is at 72.6%, far below the recommended level. This is a worrying decline compared with previous years. Health officials note that for a vaccine program to achieve community-wide protection, or herd immunity, uptake needs to be around 95%. That target has not been reached in any of the main childhood vaccination programs across England. In fact, uptake of essential vaccines such as measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) has dropped to its lowest in over a decade, with only 91.9% of five-year-olds receiving the first dose and just 83.7% completing both doses. The consequences of such gaps in vaccination coverage are already visible, as measles cases rose sharply earlier this year, leading to the death of a child at Alder Hey Children’s Hospital in July.
Dr. Gayatri Amirthalingam, deputy director at UKHSA, stated that this recent death illustrates the severity of whooping cough for vulnerable infants. She stressed that “vaccination is the best defense against whooping cough” and reiterated that both pregnant women and infants must receive their vaccines on schedule. Public health experts agree that delays in vaccination, either during pregnancy or in early childhood, leave babies exposed during the most dangerous window of vulnerability.
Government officials have acknowledged that vaccine hesitancy has been rising, particularly since the COVID-19 pandemic. According to Health Minister Stephen Kinnock, misinformation and conspiracy theories about vaccine safety have fueled skepticism among certain groups, leading to declining uptake. He emphasized that vaccines provided through the NHS are “100% safe” and that new campaigns will focus on reassuring parents and expectant mothers about the benefits of vaccination. These campaigns aim to address misconceptions, highlight the risks of preventable diseases, and reinforce the message that immunization is not only a personal choice but also a social responsibility.
The loss of this baby is part of a larger story about how public health systems struggle when vaccine confidence declines. For years, health agencies have worked to maintain high coverage levels, knowing that even small drops can allow outbreaks of diseases previously under control. The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends that at least 95% of children receive key vaccines to establish herd immunity. Without it, infectious diseases can spread more quickly, especially in communities with pockets of low coverage.
Whooping cough itself is a painful and distressing illness. It causes bouts of severe coughing that can last for minutes, often followed by a characteristic “whoop” sound as the patient gasps for breath. In babies, the condition can appear without the classic sound, making it harder for parents to recognize until symptoms become severe. In some cases, the coughing can be so intense that it leads to vomiting, dehydration, or weight loss. Complications are most common in infants under six months, who may require hospitalization. Despite modern treatments and access to antibiotics, the disease can still be fatal, as this tragic case shows.
Health professionals point out that preventing illness through vaccination is always more effective than trying to treat it afterward. Once a child is infected with whooping cough, they are already at risk of complications, and treatment focuses only on managing symptoms and preventing further spread. Vaccination, on the other hand, builds immunity before exposure and has proven to be highly effective. Since the introduction of maternal vaccination in the UK in late 2012, thousands of babies have been protected during their first vulnerable weeks of life.
The decline in uptake has complex roots. Some of it stems from access issues, such as missed appointments or difficulties booking with general practitioners. But a significant part is linked to vaccine hesitancy—when parents delay or refuse vaccines despite availability. The COVID-19 pandemic, with its mix of heightened public attention on vaccines and widespread misinformation on social media, has had lasting effects on public attitudes. While millions benefited from the life-saving COVID vaccines, misinformation campaigns also gained ground, leading some parents to doubt other established immunizations.
Experts stress that vaccine safety is supported by decades of data. All vaccines go through rigorous testing for safety and effectiveness before approval. Side effects are rare and usually mild, such as a sore arm or slight fever. The benefits, however, are enormous: widespread immunization has reduced or eliminated many once-common childhood diseases, from polio to diphtheria. For whooping cough specifically, vaccination has cut death rates dramatically compared to the pre-vaccine era.
Looking ahead, the government has announced new steps to strengthen vaccination programs. Beginning in January 2026, the NHS will introduce a free chickenpox vaccine for young children. This decision is part of a broader push to close immunity gaps and prevent future outbreaks. Officials hope that by making more vaccines readily available, parents will see immunization as an essential and routine part of child healthcare.
For families, the message from health authorities is clear: timely vaccination saves lives. Pregnant women are urged to receive their whooping cough vaccine during the recommended window, ideally between 20 and 32 weeks, to ensure their babies are protected from birth. Parents are also reminded to follow the childhood immunization schedule, which starts at eight weeks and includes protection against multiple serious illnesses. By keeping up to date with vaccinations, families not only protect their own children but also contribute to protecting vulnerable members of the community who cannot be vaccinated for medical reasons.
The tragedy of an infant dying from whooping cough serves as a wake-up call about the cost of complacency. While modern medicine has made incredible progress in reducing childhood mortality, preventable diseases still pose a threat when vaccination levels drop. Each case of vaccine-preventable illness is a reminder that public health victories are never permanent and must be maintained through continued vigilance, education, and trust in science.
The UKHSA, together with the NHS and government ministers, is stepping up efforts to address misinformation and increase awareness. Outreach programs, school-based campaigns, and digital health initiatives are being prepared to reach more families with accurate information. Experts also stress the importance of healthcare professionals—midwives, GPs, pediatricians—taking the time to discuss vaccination with parents and expectant mothers, answering questions and addressing concerns with empathy. Personal conversations with trusted professionals often make the difference in helping hesitant parents choose vaccination.
The public health community agrees that the stakes could not be higher. Each baby lost to a preventable disease like whooping cough is a devastating reminder of the fragile balance between community protection and vulnerability. By improving vaccine uptake, the UK can prevent further tragedies, protect its most vulnerable citizens, and uphold one of the greatest achievements of modern medicine.