Hampshire: Maternity team beats whooping cough vaccine target

A hospital maternity team has administered more than double the expected number of whooping cough vaccines in six months.

Hampshire Hospitals provided more than 1,120 doses of the pertussis vaccination, which is given to pregnant women to protect newborns.

The vaccination is given at about the 20-week mark, although although expectant mothers can receive it up to birth.

Director of Midwifery Wendy Randall said they work "extremely hard" to increase the understanding and "the importance of vaccinations".

Immunity from the pertussis vaccination passes to babies through the placenta, which provides passive protection against whooping cough until they are eight weeks old.

Ms Randall said: "Whooping cough is a highly infectious condition that has been rising in recent years.

"We know there is a lot for expectant mothers to consider but this vaccination – along with the flu jab provides valuable protection and assistance in slowing infection rates."

All pregnant women are also offered the respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) from 28 weeks, which affects an estimated 90% of children within their first two years.

It accounts for 33,500 hospitalisations annually in children under the age of five, causing severe breathing difficulties which can be fatal.

Ms Randall said: "With RSV peaking over the winter season we would encourage all eligible women to attend your appointment and have the vaccination, and in doing so provide the best protection to your baby."