Most pregnant women in the South West are now receiving a crucial vaccine that helps protect their newborns from a potentially deadly illness.
According to the latest data from the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA), 80.6 per cent of women who gave birth in September 2025 had been vaccinated against whooping cough.
It represents a sharp rise in coverage across the region.
Dr Alasdair Wood, consultant in health protection and vaccine-preventable disease lead at UKHSA South West, said: "We are delighted that we are seeing a steady increase in the number of women taking up the whooping cough vaccine.
"This is providing more and more protection to our youngest and most vulnerable residents across the South West.
"We want to ensure every expectant mother takes up the vaccine when offered in each pregnancy and understands that this vaccine is the best way to protect their baby during those crucial first weeks after birth."
The South West recorded the highest uptake in England, with 78.9 per cent of women who gave birth between July and September 2025 receiving the vaccine.
This figure is up from 71.7 per cent in the previous year and 64.1 per cent in 2023.
Monthly rates rose from 76.8 per cent in July to 80.6 per cent in September.
Somerset led the region with 82.4 per cent coverage in September 2025, up from 72.3 per cent in July.
Other high-performing areas included Devon (81.6 per cent), Dorset (81.9 per cent), and Bristol, North Somerset and South Gloucestershire (81.3 per cent).
The increase follows UKHSA calls to encourage pregnant women to get vaccinated following a major outbreak in 2024.
More than 3,000 whooping cough cases were reported in May 2024 alone, and 11 babies died across England that year.
Whooping cough, or pertussis, is a bacterial infection affecting the lungs.
It begins with cold-like symptoms but can lead to severe coughing fits lasting several minutes, which are often worse at night.
The vaccine is typically offered around the 20-week scan, though it can be given from 16 weeks up to birth.
Evidence from England shows that vaccination at the right time in pregnancy is highly effective, giving 91 per cent protection against infant death with whooping cough.
Jess Newcombe, an expectant mother from Bristol, received the vaccine during her 20-week scan.
She said: "It was so convenient.
"I didn't have to book a separate appointment, and I could protect myself and my baby in one visit.
"Having the whooping cough vaccine was really important to me because I know it passes antibodies through the placenta to protect my baby from the day they are born.
"Whooping cough can be really dangerous for newborns, and I wanted to give my baby the best possible start in life."
UKHSA continues to urge all pregnant women to get vaccinated to help protect their babies from this serious illness.
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