Whooping cough vaccine encouraged as cases rise

Rachel Spiers, Immunisation and Vaccination Programme Manager at the PHA, said the illness “tends to circulate in greater numbers in Northern Ireland every three to four years”.

She said this year’s increase is the highest the PHA has seen in recent times, with numbers peaking in May 2024.

“Although numbers have fallen it is a timely reminder of the importance of vaccination, external,” she said.

“Whooping cough is a disease that can cause long bouts of coughing and choking, which can make it hard to breathe.

“The evidence shows that a pregnant woman who gets the pertussis vaccine reduces the chance her baby getting sick with whooping cough by 90%.

“Babies and young children are at greatest risk of developing more serious disease, so it is very important to take up the offer of the pertussis vaccine,” she said.