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Newborn perishes due to contracting pertussis, a disease from which the mother had not been immunized.

Infant, presumed to be less than a year old, perished, presumably from March up to June, as informed by the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA).

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Unvaccinated mother's infant succumbs to pertussis (whooping cough)
Unvaccinated mother's infant succumbs to pertussis (whooping cough)

Newborn perishes due to contracting pertussis, a disease from which the mother had not been immunized.

In a concerning development, the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has reported a baby death from whooping cough in the second quarter of 2025, marking the first such case in the UK this year. This tragic event brings the total number of whooping cough deaths in the UK between 2013 and June 2025 to 33.

The baby, who passed away between March and June of this year, had a mother who was not vaccinated during pregnancy, according to the UKHSA data. This unfortunate incident underscores the importance of vaccination, particularly for expectant mothers.

Whooping cough, also known as pertussis, is an infection of the lungs and breathing tubes that can be severe for infants. It is preventable through vaccination, which is given to babies at eight, 12, and 16 weeks old as part of the '6-in-1' jab. This vaccine not only protects the baby but also includes vaccines for diseases other than whooping cough.

Specific whooping cough vaccines for pregnant women are intended to protect the child before they have received all three doses. These vaccines were introduced in October 2012 to address this very issue.

The UKHSA has expressed its condolences to the family who lost their baby and has raised major concerns over declining childhood vaccination rates in England. Data shows that none of the routine infant jabs were on target in England last year. This trend has health professionals worried about the potential for further outbreaks of preventable diseases.

In a positive development, the NHS will soon roll out chickenpox vaccines for babies for the first time. The chickenpox vaccine will be added to the combined one for mumps, measles, and rubella from January 2026. This move is expected to help control the spread of these diseases among young children.

However, the recent surge in whooping cough cases and declining vaccination rates is a cause for concern. It is crucial for parents to ensure their children are vaccinated to protect them from these preventable diseases. The UKHSA continues to urge parents to follow the recommended vaccination schedule to ensure the health and safety of their children.

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