They demand measures on vaccines after five deaths from whooping cough

May 9, 2024 Vaseline stjohnson 0

Five children have died from whooping cough since the start of the year, new figures from the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) show.

The bacterial disease, which is particularly dangerous for babies under six months old, has been increasing in prevalence since early 2024, according to UKHSA, with 2,793 cases in January-March along with five infant deaths.

“School and public health nurses are key to improving the acceptance of childhood vaccines”

sharon white

The highest rate of cases, the UKHSA said, occurred in babies under three months old, although the majority of cases occurred in people aged 15 years and older.

The five deaths occurred in a context of decreasing vaccination rates and increasing infection rates due to this infectious disease, among others such as measles.

UKHSA figures published in March 2024 found that 12-month coverage in the UK of the 6-in-1 vaccine, which protects against whooping cough, fell by 0.1% to 91.9% in April -June 2023, compared to the previous quarter.

The UK government has now been urged to take “swift action” to combat whooping cough and, in particular, increase vaccination rates.

Health and Social Care Committee chairman Steve Brine described the deaths as a “tragedy” and said vaccination rates must be increased across the UK.

A 2023 report by the committee showed England fell short of its 95% target for any routine childhood immunizations in 2021-22 and suggested retired clinical staff and medical and nursing students should be given a “greater role” in immunization to increase the numbers. a recommendation that the government rejected.

What is whooping cough?

Whooping cough, known clinically as whooping cough, is a bacterial infection of the lungs and airways.

It may present as a cold at first and show similar symptoms, such as a runny nose or sore throat.

However, the infection can progress and cause coughing fits that can last several minutes and are often worse at night.

People with the disease may make a “wheezing” sound when coughing. However, not all coughs associated with infection cause a “scream.”

Whooping cough is usually much more serious in babies under six months old, who may suffer from dehydration, breathing difficulties, pneumonia or even seizures.

In adults and older children, it can cause rib pain, hernias, middle ear infections, or urinary incontinence.

It is treated with antibiotics and can be prevented with a childhood vaccine.

You can find more information about whooping cough here:

Information file: Prevention, diagnosis and treatment of whooping cough

“Today’s UKHSA figures highlight the need to act quickly to avoid a further drop in vaccine uptake across the country,” Mr Brine said.

“In our work on this issue, my committee urged the government to heed the lessons from the Covid-19 vaccine rollout by making the most of the wide range of health professionals who could administer vaccines in easily accessible locations.

“Specifically, giving medical and nursing students and recently retired staff a bigger role in helping drive rates down – a call ministers rejected.

“In light of today’s sad news, I urge the government to reconsider its approach and follow the steps we have outlined to boost vaccination across the country.”

sharon white

Sharon White, chief executive of the School and Public Health Nurses Association (SAPHNA), said the decline in vaccine acceptance reflected the reduction in the health visiting, school nursing and public health nursing workforce seen in the last years.

“School and public health nurses are key to improving the uptake of childhood vaccines, (and) building trusting relationships with parents, children and young people, offering help, advice, dealing with those who are contraindicated and those concerned about misinformation anti-vaccines. .”

Vaccines during pregnancy, often administered by nurses, offer around 92% protection against whooping cough in babies, according to the UKHSA, and childhood immunization (as part of the six-in-one vaccine) is also key to preventing the infection.

The UKHSA noted that uptake of both childhood and pregnancy vaccines had “declined in recent years” and highlighted their importance in curbing the spread.

Whooping cough is a “cyclical disease” that usually peaks every three to five years, the UKHSA explained.

The figures suggest that the rise in whooping cough cases, which has also occurred in other countries, is the first cyclical increase since 2016.

The agency said that while vaccinations had slowed, a peak year was “behind” and that the pandemic had reduced population immunity.

Dr Gayatri Amirthalingam, consultant epidemiologist at UKHSA, added: “Vaccination remains the best defense against whooping cough and it is vital that pregnant women and young babies receive their vaccines at the right time.”

Dr Amirthalingam added: “Whooping cough can affect people of all ages, but in very young babies it can be extremely serious.

“Our thoughts and condolences are with those families who have so tragically lost their baby.”

The Department of Health and Social Care has been contacted for comment.