A preventable infant death from whooping cough in the UK exposes the deadly consequences of declining vaccination rates and parental choices that put vulnerable babies at risk.

Story Snapshot

• First UK infant death from whooping cough in 2025 after unvaccinated mother failed to protect her baby
• 27 of 33 infant deaths since 2013 occurred when mothers skipped recommended pregnancy vaccines
• UK vaccination rates hitting historic lows as vaccine hesitancy spreads post-COVID pandemic
• Health officials warn declining immunization threatens herd immunity and infant protection

Tragic Death Highlights Vaccination Crisis

The UK Health Security Agency confirmed in August 2025 that an infant died from whooping cough between March and June after the mother chose not to receive the recommended pertussis vaccine during pregnancy. Dr. Gayatri Amirthalingam, UKHSA deputy director, emphasized that vaccination remains the best defense against this highly contagious bacterial infection that poses extreme danger to infants too young for immunization themselves.

This marks the first infant death from whooping cough in the UK this year, occurring amid a broader crisis of declining vaccination rates that threatens public health. The timing between 20-32 weeks of pregnancy is critical for maternal vaccination, as antibodies transfer to the unborn child, providing essential protection during the most vulnerable months of life.

Baby dies of whooping cough as vaccination rates hit historic low.

UKHSA deputy director says this reminds us how severe pertussis can be.

The UKHSA can fuck off!

They supported the herd immunity BS and refused clean air in healthcare. This is on them! https://t.co/sUj2Es4JgV

— Dame Sa 🐝 3.5% (@LongCovidHell) August 31, 2025

Alarming Pattern of Preventable Deaths

The statistics reveal a troubling pattern that should concern any parent who values their child’s safety. Between 2013 and June 2025, 33 infants died from whooping cough in the UK, with 27 of these deaths occurring when mothers had not received vaccination during pregnancy. This data demonstrates clear consequences of parental choices that leave infants defenseless against preventable diseases.

The UK introduced maternal pertussis vaccination programs in October 2012 following a surge in infant deaths, yet vaccination rates continue declining. None of the routine infant vaccinations met national targets in 2024, creating dangerous gaps in community protection that put the most vulnerable at risk through no fault of their own.

Watch:

Government Response Insufficient Against Growing Hesitancy

Health Minister Stephen Kinnock has urged parents to vaccinate their children, calling it “common sense” while acknowledging rising vaccine hesitancy following the COVID-19 pandemic. However, government messaging appears inadequate against the tide of misinformation and skepticism that has infected public discourse about vaccines, leaving families vulnerable to preventable tragedies like this infant death.

The NHS plans to introduce chickenpox vaccines for infants in January 2026, responding to similar concerns about declining immunization rates. This reactive approach highlights how government health policy consistently lags behind emerging threats to public health, particularly when parental choice conflicts with medical science and infant safety.

Sources:

Pregnant women urged to get whooping cough vaccine after baby death – The Independent
Pregnant women urged to get whooping cough vaccine after baby death – PA Media
Baby whose mother was unvaccinated dies of whooping cough – Sky News