Government Attributes Whooping Cough ‘Resurgence’ to Women Refusing Pregnancy Vaccinations
Officials have reported that a baby has passed away due to an illness, but a former GP claims that the vaccinations administered to pregnant mothers and babies can increase children’s vulnerability to repeated infections.
The latest statistics show that expectant mothers are increasingly opting for a vaccine-free pregnancy, leading to a resurgence of whooping cough, according to the health monitoring body.
The UK Health and Security Agency (HSA) disclosed that one baby died in late 2023 from the illness, pertussis, following a recent survey on parental attitudes. Trust in the safety and effectiveness of vaccines has significantly declined, as per the agency’s findings.
The HSA did not confirm whether the baby or its mother had been vaccinated against the disease.
Health officials credit the introduction of the antenatal vaccine for women in reducing the number of whooping cough deaths since its implementation in 2012. However, mortality rates had started decreasing even before any vaccines were available.
The uptake of the maternal vaccine has declined from over 70 percent in September 2017 to around 58 percent in September 2023. In certain areas of London, between 70 and 80 percent of women are declining the vaccine, based on the latest data.
In February, there were 913 new cases of the disease, up from 555 cases reported the previous month, according to provisional data released by the HSA. The total recorded cases for 2023 were 858, with an increase in cases towards the end of the year.
Women May Not Know Jab Is 4-in-1
In the UK, there is no single whooping cough vaccine licensed. Pregnant women are offered a four-in-one injection known as Boostrix IPV, which also protects against polio, diphtheria, and tetanus.
Also known as a Tdap injection, the vaccine might render a person susceptible to reinfection throughout their lifetime, as stated by a former GP with expertise in vaccines.
