Baby dies from pertussis in UK: officials urge maternal and childhood vaccinations

A baby in the UK, whose mother was not vaccinated against whooping cough, has died from the illness, according to the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA).

The announcement comes as government ministers urge hesitant parents to vaccinate their children amid news that nearly one in five children have not received their pre-school booster jab by the time they start formal education.

The death, which occurred in the first half of 2025, was the first infant to die from whooping cough this year.

UKHSA Deputy Director Dr. Gayatri Amirthalingam confirmed the death in a statement, saying: “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 has so tragically lost their baby.

“Ensuring women are vaccinated during pregnancy has never been more important. Vaccination is the best defense 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.

“The recent increase in uptake of the whooping cough vaccine among pregnant women across the country shows that even more mothers are taking steps to protect their newborns. We want to ensure every expectant mother is offered the vaccine at the optimal time and understands that this vaccine is the best way to protect their baby during those crucial first weeks after birth. 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." 

The news of the baby’s death follows data released earlier this week by the UKHSA showing no vaccine reached the 95% uptake target last year.

18.6% of children did not receive their pre-school booster jab, a vaccination which protects against polio, whooping cough, tetanus, and diphtheria.

Given from 3 years 4 months of age, the vaccine boosts the protection provided by previous vaccines given to babies. It ensures children have the essential protection they need when starting primary school. Without this booster, children are not fully protected.

Data from the UKHSA shows that in the 12 years before the maternal vaccination program was introduced, and up to the year 2012, 64 babies died from whooping cough. Since the vaccine program’s introduction, this number stands at 33, 27 of whom had been born to mothers who were not vaccinated.

Overall, pregnant women’s uptake of vaccinations has been showing positive trends. The uptake rate rose sharply in March’s reported figures to 72.6%, up from 58.9% in March 2024.

UKHSA and NHS England are urging parents to check their child’s vaccine records and catch up on any missed vaccinations with their GP practice.

Which childhood vaccines are under target?

• Some 91.9% of five-year-olds had received one dose of the MMR (measles, mumps & rubella) vaccine, unchanged from 2023/24 and the lowest level since 2010/11. Just 83.7% of five-year-olds had received both MMR doses, down year on year from 83.9% and the lowest level since 2009/10. Uptake of the first MMR dose at 24 months stood at 88.9% in 2024/25 – unchanged from the previous year, but again the lowest figure since 2009/10;

• Coverage for the Hib/MenC vaccine, which protects against haemophilus influenzae type B and meningitis C, stood at 88.9% for children in England aged five, down from 89.4% in 2023/24 and the lowest level since 2011/12;

• Uptake of the four-in-one pre-school booster vaccine – which protects against polio, whooping cough, tetanus, and diphtheria – stood at just 81.4% among five-year-olds in England in 2024/25, down from 82.7% the previous year and the lowest since current data began in 2009/10. The figure peaked at 88.9% in 2012/13.

Health Minister Stephen Kinnock said the government was concerned about vaccine uptake in the UK.

"Too many children are starting primary school without complete protection against preventable and potentially serious illnesses like measles, whooping cough, and mumps," said the health minister.

"We know parents want to do right by their children, and we’re working with the NHS to make it easier for all families to access these life-saving vaccines.

"Vaccines save thousands of lives every year and prevent countless hospital admissions. I urge all parents to check their child’s vaccination record and contact their GP practice if any jabs are missing."