An outbreak of pertussis has been ongoing in the UK since the beginning of 2024. The number of pertussis cases from Jan – May 2024 was 7,599 (UKHSA). Pertussis outbreaks tend to cycle every few years with 6000 cases in 2016 being the last big UK outbreak and around 24 million cases a year globally.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Whooping cough, also called pertussis, is a highly contagious bacterial infection of the lungs and airways.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
More info is available here: https:\/\/www.nhsinform.scot\/illnesses-and-conditions\/infections-and-poisoning\/whooping-cough\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n Pertussis vaccination is offered in the UK to all pregnant women, babies (at 8,12 & 16 weeks) and children age 3yrs4m.<\/p>\n\n\n\n A dose of pertussis containing vaccine during pregnancy prevents around 78% of pertussis cases in newborn babies.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Vaccine coverage has dropped in recent years. Maternal vaccine uptake was 70% in 2017, but only 58% in 2023.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The percentage of children vaccinated by their first birthday dropped slightly from around 93% just prior to the pandemic to 92% in 2022-2023. <\/p>\n\n\n\n A similar drop (from 85 percent to 83 percent) is seen with the booster dose children can have prior to their fifth birthday. <\/p>\n\n\n\n This drop in coverage may be contributing to the current outbreak.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The UK, like most countries does not recommend<\/strong> cocooning (vaccinating those adults around a baby) but instead recognises the importance of maternal vaccine in the third trimester to create maternal antibodies to support baby until they can have their first immunisation at 8 weeks. <\/p>\n\n\n\n While\u00a0UK guidance<\/a>does not routinely recommend<\/strong>\u00a0a pertussis vaccine in adults, an extra dose is considered safe. If someone has been particularly advised to have\u00a0whooping\u00a0cough\u00a0vaccine from a specialist (due to risk or vulnerability) then a GP referral or provision is more appropriate.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n If it is a patient choice, for example travelling to visit a baby in a country where they have been requested to have pertussis immunisation to visit, then they may wish to discuss private provision with us. Prices are available here: https:\/\/services.nhslothian.scot\/travelclinics\/nhs-lothian-travel-clinics-our-services\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\nVaccination<\/h2>\n\n\n\n