The UK has been grappling with its most severe whooping cough outbreak in four decades, a tragedy marked by the deaths of eleven infants. This surge in cases has cast a stark light on the dangers of the disease, also known as pertussis, and underscored the critical importance of vaccination.
A New Defence Against a Deadly Threat
In response to the crisis, the government has launched a trial of a groundbreaking new vaccine that could revolutionise the fight against the infection. The nasal spray, known as BPZE1, is being tested with the backing of the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR).
Unlike the current injectable vaccine offered to pregnant women by the NHS, which is highly effective at protecting newborns but does not stop carriers from spreading the bacteria, this new spray aims to prevent colonisation in the nose and throat. Professor Robert Read, who led the initial study at the NIHR Southampton Biomedical Research Centre, hailed it as a potential "big step forward in stopping the spread of the disease."
The Stark Reality of the 2024 Outbreak
The recent outbreak reached alarming levels, with 15,153 cases recorded between January and June 2024. Half of all infections were in children under 15, with the highest rates—and gravest risks—affecting babies under three months old. For these vulnerable infants, whooping cough can lead to life-threatening complications like pneumonia, dehydration, breathing difficulties, and seizures.
Disturbingly, data reveals that almost all infant deaths since the maternal vaccine's introduction in 2012 occurred in babies born to mothers who were not vaccinated during pregnancy. The current NHS jab, given between 16 and 32 weeks of pregnancy, is 91% effective at preventing infant death, transferring crucial immunity through the placenta.
Recognising Symptoms and NHS Vaccination Schedule
Whooping cough starts with cold-like symptoms such as a runny nose and sore throat. After about a week, it can develop into prolonged coughing bouts, often worse at night. The characteristic 'whoop' sound—a gasp for breath—may not always be present, especially in very young babies, making diagnosis tricky.
The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) advises that anyone diagnosed should stay home from work, school, or nursery for 48 hours after starting antibiotics, or for three weeks if antibiotics are not taken.
The NHS vaccination pathway is clear:
- Pregnant women: Offered the pertussis vaccine between 16 and 32 weeks.
- Babies: Receive the six-in-one vaccine, which includes whooping cough protection, at 8, 12, and 16 weeks old.
- Pre-schoolers: A four-in-one booster is offered at 3 years and 4 months.
While infection rates have fallen significantly in 2025, with 896 cases reported in the first half of the year compared to last year's peak, the memory of the outbreak drives ongoing public health efforts. The Champion-1 study for the BPZE1 vaccine, involving 53 adults and published in The Lancet Microbe, provides a foundation for hope. Dr Stephanie Noviello, Chief Medical Officer at developer ILiAD Biotechnologies, called the results a "major milestone" in the global effort to control whooping cough.
