Baby dies of whooping cough as vaccination rates hit historic low
Vaccination plea after baby dies from whooping cough
- A baby in the UK has died from whooping cough, marking the first such death in the country this year.
- The infant's mother had not been vaccinated against the highly infectious disease, which affects the lungs and airways.
- This death occurs as whooping cough vaccination rates among children and pregnant women in the UK have fallen to their lowest levels in over a decade.
- The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) confirmed the case and emphasised the severe risk whooping cough poses to very young babies.
- Health officials are urging pregnant women to get vaccinated to protect their babies, noting that 27 of the 33 infant deaths since 2012 involved unvaccinated mothers.