Vaccination rates for pregnant women in England have climbed to nearly 73%, offering vital early protection against whooping cough for newborn babies. Chijos News explains why this matters for families across the UK diaspora.
Why This Matters to Diaspora Families in the UK
For many Black, African, Caribbean and migrant families living in the UK, pregnancy and early childcare often come with additional challenges, from navigating the NHS to accessing clear and culturally trusted health information. At Chijos News, we focus on stories that directly affect diaspora households, especially those linked to family health, early childhood protection and public trust in healthcare systems.
New figures from the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) bring encouraging news. Nearly three-quarters of women who gave birth in England in September 2025 were vaccinated against whooping cough during pregnancy, helping to protect their babies during the most vulnerable first weeks of life.
Vaccination Rates Rise After a Difficult Year
According to the latest UKHSA data, 72.9% of pregnant women delivering in September 2025 had received the whooping cough vaccine. This marks a significant improvement from the same period last year, when coverage stood at 64.4%. Across the three months from July to September 2025, vaccination rates rose steadily, reflecting growing engagement from expectant mothers and healthcare professionals alike.
The increase follows urgent calls from health authorities after a major outbreak of whooping cough in 2024. At the height of that outbreak, reported cases surged to more than 3,000 in a single month, raising serious concerns about infant safety across England.
Why Whooping Cough Is So Dangerous for Babies
Whooping cough, also known as pertussis, is a highly contagious bacterial infection that attacks the lungs. While it often starts with mild cold-like symptoms, it can quickly develop into severe coughing fits that make breathing difficult. For young babies, the illness can be life-threatening.
Tragically, 11 babies died in England last year after contracting whooping cough. Newborns are especially at risk because they are too young to receive their own vaccinations. This makes protection during pregnancy critical, as antibodies passed from mother to baby can provide early defence.
Evidence from England shows that receiving the vaccine at the right time in pregnancy offers up to 91% protection against death from whooping cough in infants, underlining how effective this single intervention can be.
When and How the Vaccine Is Offered
The whooping cough vaccine is routinely offered to all pregnant women, usually around the time of the mid-pregnancy scan at approximately 20 weeks. It can be given as early as 16 weeks and ideally before 32 weeks to provide the strongest protection. Even if this window is missed, vaccination later in pregnancy can still benefit the baby.
Health officials continue to encourage expectant mothers to speak to their midwife or GP if they have not yet been offered the vaccine, particularly as they approach the 20-week mark.
Regional Gaps and Progress in London
Vaccination coverage is not evenly distributed across England. The South West currently leads with the highest uptake at 78.9%. London, historically one of the lowest-performing regions, recorded a rate of 64.4%. However, this still represents major progress, with coverage in the capital rising dramatically from just 35.5% two years earlier.
For diaspora communities concentrated in London and other urban areas, this improvement is especially significant. It suggests that outreach efforts are beginning to reach families who may previously have faced barriers such as language, access or mistrust of health messaging.
Health Leaders Urge Continued Action
Dr Gayatri Amirthalingam, Deputy Director for Immunisation at UKHSA, welcomed the progress but stressed that more needs to be done. She highlighted the dedication of healthcare workers while urging expectant mothers to ensure they are vaccinated at the optimal time to protect their babies during the crucial early weeks after birth.
UKHSA continues to call on all pregnant women to come forward for vaccination, reminding families that this simple step can make a life-saving difference.
A Message for Expectant Families
For diaspora parents across the UK, these rising vaccination rates offer reassurance that awareness is improving and babies are receiving stronger protection. At the same time, the data is a reminder that access to timely, trusted health information remains vital.
At Chijos News, we will continue to highlight public health stories that affect our communities directly, ensuring families have the knowledge they need to make informed decisions that safeguard the next generation.