When a baby succumbs to a preventable disease, it is more than just a statistic; it is a heartbreaking reminder of how fragile early life can be and how crucial maternal healthcare decisions are.
Recently, a baby’s death due to whooping cough (pertussis) after the mother missed her vaccination during pregnancy has sparked conversations around the importance of maternal immunisation. The tragic incident that took place in the UK is the first reported case this year and comes at a time when vaccination rates are dropping like never before.
Dr Gayatri Amirthalingam, UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) deputy director, said: “Sadly, with a further infant death in the second quarter of 2025, we are again reminded how severe whooping cough can be for very young babies. Our thoughts and condolences are with the family who have so tragically lost their baby.”
Also Read: Could Your Cold-Like Symptoms Be Whooping Cough? How To Identify The Latter
What Is Whooping Cough And Why Is It So Dangerous for Babies?
Whooping cough, or pertussis, is a highly contagious respiratory infection caused by Bordetella pertussis bacteria. It spreads through coughing and sneezing and can be especially dangerous for babies and people with weakened immune systems. While symptoms begin like a cold but progress to violent coughing spells, which can lead to difficulty breathing, vomiting, and a bluish face, it is also likely.
While older children and adults often recover, babies face the highest risk of complications such as pneumonia, seizures, brain damage, and even death.
In an interaction with the OnlyMyHealth team, Dr Archana Dhawan Bajaj, Gynaecologist and IVF Expert, The Nurture IVF Clinic, Delhi, describes whooping cough as a life-threatening condition that can cause newborns to stop breathing.
“Unfortunately, babies do not begin to develop their natural immunity to whooping cough until they are vaccinated at two months of age. This leaves babies defenseless in the earliest months of life, when they're most at danger of getting whooping cough and having serious and potentially life-threatening consequences from it.”
According to StatPearls Publishing, there are over 2.4 crore cases of whooping cough annually, with more than 160,000 deaths worldwide. It largely remains a paediatric disease, with 38% of cases occurring in infants younger than 6 months and 71% of cases occurring in children younger than 5 years.
The Role Of Maternal Vaccination
Dr Bajaj explains, "Maternal immunisation for whooping cough causes a pregnant woman to produce protective antibodies, which are passed on to the fetus before delivery. These antibodies provide some short-term protection against whooping cough in early infancy. They can protect the newborn from some of the more severe effects of whooping cough."
She recommends vaccination for whooping cough around the time of mid-pregnancy ultrasound (typically at 20 weeks), but the protection can come as early as 16 weeks of pregnancy. “You should aim to get vaccinated before 32 weeks to provide maximum protection for your baby,” she shares.
Without maternal vaccination, newborns face an unprotected gap—an open window during which pertussis can strike with deadly consequences.
Also Read: Whooping Cough Deaths Hit Record High in US—What Makes This Infection So Dangerous?
Myths, Fear, And Tragedy
So why do some pregnant women skip the vaccine? Reasons often range from misinformation to fear. Some worry about side effects harming the baby, while others believe vaccines are unnecessary if everyone around the baby is vaccinated.
Doctors emphasise that the vaccine is safe during pregnancy and does not harm the developing foetus. Instead, it offers life-saving protection. Unfortunately, lack of awareness, cultural beliefs, and sometimes even healthcare system gaps can lead to missed opportunities for vaccination.
Conclusion
The heartbreaking case of the baby losing its life to a preventable disease like whooping cough underscores the importance of maternal vaccination and how it saves lives. No parent should have to endure the loss of a baby to a disease that modern medicine has the means to prevent.
By ensuring expectant mothers receive timely vaccinations, communities can build a safer start for every newborn, where their first breaths are not shadowed by the risk of whooping cough.