Teenagers may be offered booster shots against whooping cough as an outbreak of the disease continues to spread through England.
By the end of June more than twice as many cases as in the whole of 2011 had already been recorded – and five babies have died, according to the Health Protection Agency.
The HPA says the increase is happening throughout England – with local outbreaks in some schools and GP practices.
It recorded some 2,466 cases in the first six months of this year – compared with 1,118 in the whole of 2011.
The extra programme of vaccination may also be extended to pregnant women, it said.
The HPA says it expects surges of the disease every three to four years – but the latest outbreak has affected at least six times as many people as four years ago.
HPA head of immunisation Dr Mary Ramsay said: "Whooping cough can be a very serious illness, especially in the very young. In older people it can be unpleasant but does not usually lead to serious complications.
"Anyone showing signs and symptoms, which include severe coughing fits accompanied by the characteristic whoop sound in young children, but as a prolonged cough in older children and adults, should visit their GP.
"Whooping cough can spread easily to close contacts such as household members. Vaccination is the most effective way to protect people from this infection and uptake of the vaccine in the UK is very good.
"In addition to this, parents should ensure their children are up to date with their vaccinations so that they are protected at the earliest opportunity.
She added: "The HPA is very concerned about the ongoing increase in cases and we are working closely with the Department of Health’s Joint Committee of Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) to consider the most effective ways to tackle the ongoing outbreak.
"The JCVI is reviewing a number of options including the introduction of a booster dose in teenagers and offering whooping cough vaccination to pregnant women."
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