Pregnant Women Urged to Get Whooping Cough Vaccine
Pregnant Women Urged to Get Whooping Cough Vaccine
Pregnant women are being encouraged to get the whooping cough vaccine due to a rise in reported cases. Kent County Council (KCC) and Medway Council support the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) and NHS in urging expectant mothers to get vaccinated.
The vaccine is available to all pregnant women after 16 weeks. Whooping cough, also known as pertussis, is a bacterial illness that can be life-threatening for newborns. Cases of whooping cough are rising across England, and infants who are too young to start their vaccinations are most at risk.
The UK Health Security Agency reported 168 suspected cases in southeast England for the week ending June 9, with 17 in Kent, 34 in Surrey, and 32 in Sussex.
Whooping cough spreads easily and can cause serious problems like pneumonia and seizures, and in rare cases, it can be fatal.
Parents of newborns are also advised to ensure their children are protected against whooping cough. If a mother hasn't been vaccinated or if a child has missed their vaccine, they should contact their GP to arrange it.
Anjan Ghosh, director of public health at KCC, said, "The disease can be life-threatening for young infants, and it is important families come forward to get the protection they need."
David Whiting, acting director of public health at Medway Council, added, "Vaccination is the best form of defense.
We need to keep our loved ones safe and healthy, and I encourage parents and carers to make sure their children are up to date with all their vaccinations, including whooping cough."
Whooping cough is a cyclical disease that peaks every three to five years, with the last peak occurring in 2016.

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