The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) is urging pregnant people to get the maternal whooping cough vaccine as uptake rates are at a seven-year low.

Data from 2022 shows that the average vaccine uptake across England was 61.5 per cent - the lowest level since 2016. In London, uptake is only 41.4 per cent.

The vaccine is given to protect babies against whooping cough during their first few weeks of life.

Dr Gayatri Amirthalingam, consultant epidemiologist at UKHSA, said: "The whooping cough vaccination programme for pregnant women has been hugely successful in protecting newborn babies in the first weeks of life from serious disease and hospitalisation.

"Whooping cough can be very serious for young babies, particularly under 6 months, and can lead to pneumonia, permanent brain damage and even death. That’s why it’s so important that all expectant mothers get the vaccine at the recommended time from 20 weeks, to give their babies the best protection from this serious and highly contagious disease.

"If you aren’t sure whether you’ve had the vaccine, or would like further information, speak to your GP or midwife."

Health minister Maria Caulfield said: "Whooping cough can have serious consequences on the health of newborn babies, and in some cases it can be life threatening.

"It’s really important we do what we can to protect the health of our babies, so I want to encourage all expectant mothers to come forward for the free whooping cough vaccine and give your baby the protection it needs."

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