With more than 10,000 cases of whooping cough now confirmed around the UK since January, pregnant women in Wolverhampton being encouraged to make sure they have received their free vaccination to protect their baby.
Whooping cough, also known as pertussis, is a bacterial infection of the lungs and breathing tubes. It spreads very easily and can sometimes cause serious problems, especially in babies and young children.
Complications can include dehydration, weight loss due to repeated vomiting, pneumonia and seizures and, tragically, there have been nine infant deaths this year. Early symptoms of whooping cough are similar to a cold, with a runny nose and mild fever.
These symptoms can last for up to two weeks before developing into long bursts of severe coughing and choking. Coughing fits can cause some people to make a distinctive ‘whooping’ sound as they gasp for breath between coughs.
Mums-to-be are offered the vaccine between 16 and 32 weeks of pregnancy. The immunity given from it will pass to the baby through the placenta and will protect them until they are old enough to receive it as part of the six-in-1 combination vaccine at eight, 12 and 16 weeks, which also protects against diphtheria, hepatitis B, hib, polio and tetanus.
Councillor Jasbir Jaspal, the City of Wolverhampton Council’s Cabinet Member for Adults and Wellbeing, said: “Anyone can catch whooping cough, but the infection can be very serious in young children and babies.
“We’ve seen case numbers rise across the country this year, with the UK Health Security Agency confirming over 10,000 laboratory confirmed cases in the first six months of the year as well as, tragically, nine infant deaths. It is therefore crucial, if you are pregnant and have not been vaccinated, or your child hasn’t yet had their six-in-1 combination vaccine, that you contact your GP surgery as soon as possible.
“If you’re unsure if your child has had the vaccine, check your child’s red book or with your family doctor."
