More babies could die from whooping cough, expert warns

Experts have warned that falling vaccine rates in pregnancy are leading to a rise in whooping cough (PA)

Jane Kirby and Ella Pickover

More babies will die from whooping cough unless vaccination rates go up to slow the spread of the infection, a leading expert has warned.

Professor Andrew Pollard, consultant paediatrician and chairman of the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation, which advises the Government, said Covid lockdowns may have impacted on the rise in cases, particularly in older children and adults.