In a tragic reminder of the dangers posed by preventable diseases, a baby has died from whooping cough in the United Kingdom—the first such fatality recorded in 2025. According to the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA), the infant’s mother had not received the recommended whooping cough vaccine during pregnancy, a factor highlighted by health officials as critically significant in this loss. The death, which occurred between January and June this year, has reignited urgent calls from public health experts and government officials for expectant mothers and parents to ensure timely vaccinations for themselves and their children.
Whooping cough, or pertussis, is a highly infectious bacterial disease that affects the lungs and airways. It is particularly dangerous for babies, whose developing immune systems leave them especially vulnerable. The infection is notorious for its severe, persistent coughing fits—often punctuated by the distinctive “whoop” sound as infants gasp for air—and can lead to serious complications such as pneumonia, seizures, brain damage, and even death. The NHS warns that symptoms can last for weeks or months, and babies under one year are at increased risk of dehydration, breathing difficulties, and other life-threatening issues.
The UKHSA confirmed that this was the first fatal case of whooping cough in the UK this year. The infant, believed to be under one year old, died between March and June 2025. Since the introduction of the maternal vaccination program in October 2012, 33 babies have died from confirmed whooping cough in the UK; of those, 27 had mothers who were not vaccinated during pregnancy—including the infant who died this year. The agency’s deputy director, Dr. Gayatri Amirthalingam, expressed her condolences, stating, “Sadly, with a further infant death in the second quarter of 2025, we are again reminded how severe whooping cough can be for very young babies. Our thoughts and condolences are with the family who have so tragically lost their baby.” (BBC, Sky News, The Times)
Vaccination is the most effective defense against whooping cough, especially for newborns who are too young to have completed their own vaccination schedule. In the UK, pregnant women are routinely offered the ADACEL vaccine, which protects against whooping cough, diphtheria, and tetanus, typically at around 20 weeks of pregnancy. The UKHSA and NHS recommend that the vaccine be administered between 20 and 32 weeks to maximize the transfer of protective antibodies to the baby in the womb, ensuring protection from birth. Dr. Amirthalingam emphasized, “Vaccination is the best defence against whooping cough and it is vital that pregnant women and young infants receive their vaccines at the right time, ideally between 20 and 32 weeks. This passes protection to their baby in the womb so that they are protected from birth.” (NationalWorld, BBC)
Despite the clear benefits, vaccination rates among pregnant women in the UK have experienced a worrying decline in recent years. Uptake peaked at 76% in 2016 but dropped to 59% by March 2024. Following last year’s deaths, there was a modest recovery to 73%, but this still falls short of previous highs. The current uptake among pregnant women stands at 72.6%. Health officials are concerned that these figures leave many infants at risk during their most vulnerable early weeks of life. Dr. Amirthalingam called on expectant mothers, “If you are pregnant and approaching 20 weeks, and haven’t been offered the whooping cough vaccine, please speak to your GP or midwife today to find out how you can get your vaccine.” (BBC, The Times)
It’s not just pregnant women who are missing out on vital immunizations. Across England, childhood vaccination rates have also fallen to their lowest levels in more than a decade. None of the main childhood vaccines—including those for whooping cough, polio, tetanus, and diphtheria—reached the World Health Organization’s 95% uptake target last year. In fact, almost one in five children starting primary school this year are not fully protected against these diseases. According to the BBC, uptake of the MMR (measles, mumps, and rubella) vaccine among five-year-olds remained at its lowest level since 2010-11, at 91.9%, with only 83.7% receiving both doses—a figure not seen since 2009-10.
This decline in vaccination coverage is already having serious consequences. The UKHSA reported that in 2024, 11 infants died from whooping cough during an outbreak, and cases continue to rise. Between January and June 2025, there were 502 reported infections, including eight in babies under three months old. Measles cases are also up nationwide, with a child death reported at Alder Hey Children’s Hospital in Liverpool this July. The government and health professionals have raised major concerns about the trend, warning that declining vaccination rates could lead to more outbreaks and preventable deaths.
Health minister Stephen Kinnock has been outspoken about the urgency of reversing this trend, describing vaccination as “common sense” and expressing frustration at rising vaccine hesitancy following the Covid-19 pandemic. Kinnock told the BBC that the government is concerned about vaccine uptake and hesitancy, which he said had increased after the pandemic. He announced that campaigns explaining “the benefits of getting vaccinated and the fact that this is 100% safe” would be launched to “win this battle against the conspiracy theorists.” (BBC, NationalWorld)
Vaccine hesitancy is a complex issue, with roots in misinformation, mistrust, and the lingering effects of the Covid-19 era. According to the UKHSA, public health campaigns and clear communication are vital to restoring confidence in vaccines and ensuring that both mothers and children are protected. The agency encourages parents to check their children’s vaccination records (often referred to as the “red book”) and consult their GP practice to make sure no doses are missing.
In a bid to shore up childhood immunization rates, the NHS announced plans to introduce free chickenpox (varicella) vaccines for all children aged 12 to 18 months, beginning in January 2026. This move is part of a broader effort to combat declining vaccine coverage and prevent future outbreaks of infectious diseases. The chickenpox vaccine will be added to the combined jab for mumps, measles, and rubella, making it more convenient for families to ensure their children are fully protected.
Whooping cough, once a leading cause of infant mortality before the advent of vaccines, remains a serious threat when immunization rates slip. Its return as a cause of death in the UK this year is a stark warning that complacency can have devastating consequences. As Dr. Amirthalingam and other health leaders have stressed, vaccination during pregnancy and early childhood is not just a personal decision—it’s a crucial step in safeguarding the most vulnerable members of society.
This latest tragedy, officials hope, will serve as a wake-up call for expectant mothers and parents across the UK. The tools to prevent such losses are available, and the message from health professionals is clear: timely vaccination saves lives, now more than ever.
