Pregnant women are to be offered vaccination against whooping cough as an outbreak spreads across the UK, it was announced today.
Three babies died from the disease in August and some 1,230 cases of infection were reported, government health advisers revealed.
Officials are hoping the risk to babies will outweigh the reluctance of many pregnant women to undergo vaccination.
The aim is to boost women’s immunity and pass it on to their babies – who would not normally be vaccinated until the age of two months.
Dr Mary Ramsay, of the Health Protection Agency, said the agency was "very concerned" about the rise in cases and deaths.
She said: "We welcome the urgent measure from the Department of Health to minimise the harm from whooping cough, particularly in young infants, and we encourage all pregnant women to ensure they receive the vaccination to give their baby the best protection against whooping cough."
The surge in cases in August brings the total number this year to 4,791. More cases were reported in August than in the whole of last year when 1,118 cases were reported.
The new vaccination campaign was backed by the Royal College of Midwives.
Louise Silverton, of the college, said: "Whooping cough is on the increase among young babies and it can be a dangerous and potentially fatal infection.
"We encourage pregnant women to have the vaccine in the final trimester of pregnancy to protect themselves and their baby from the disease in the first weeks after it is born. Having the vaccination will also help to stop the spread of the disease to other people.
"If any pregnant woman is unsure about this I would encourage them to speak to their midwife or doctor to discuss the issue.
"Women must also be aware of the importance of having the seasonal flu vaccination as soon as they become pregnant."
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