The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has updated its national surveillance protocols for pertussis, commonly known as whooping cough, as health officials continue to monitor the disease following a major resurgence across England.
The update, issued on 2 October 2026, includes a revised enhanced surveillance form and an updated cover letter for General Practitioners. These tools are used by doctors after laboratory confirmation of a case to gather vital epidemiological data, such as maternal vaccination history and the clinical details of the infection.
The administrative refresh comes as the UK maintains heightened vigilance against the “100-day cough.” The disease saw a dramatic 1,600% increase in cases during 2024, a year in which 11 infant deaths were recorded in England. While case numbers have fluctuated since that peak, health officials remain concerned about fluctuating immunity levels in the population.
Changes to the Vaccination Schedule
In response to the ongoing re-emergence of the disease, the UK childhood vaccination schedule was expanded in January 2026. A fourth booster dose of the 6-in-1 vaccine was introduced for children aged 18 months, providing an additional layer of protection between the primary infant courses and the pre-school booster.
However, recent data suggests that maintaining high uptake remains a challenge. According to The Pharmaceutical Journal, childhood 6-in-1 vaccine coverage for 12-month-olds in England fell to 89.8% in early 2026, a decrease of 0.7 percentage points. Public health experts generally aim for a 95% uptake to ensure community-wide protection.
Information for Parents and Expectant Mothers
Whooping cough is a notifiable disease, meaning health professionals have a legal duty to inform local health protection teams of any suspected cases. The infection can be particularly severe, and sometimes fatal, for young infants who are too young to be fully vaccinated.
Current health guidance emphasises several key windows for protection:
- Pregnancy: Maternal vaccination is highly recommended between 16 and 32 weeks of pregnancy. This allows the mother to pass protective antibodies to the unborn baby, offering protection from birth.
- Infants: Routine vaccinations are administered at 8, 12, and 16 weeks of age as part of the 6-in-1 vaccine.
- Toddlers: The new 18-month booster, introduced this year, serves as a fourth dose.
- Pre-school: A final booster is typically offered around the age of three years and four months.
The updated surveillance forms will help the UKHSA track whether cases are occurring in vaccinated or unvaccinated individuals, allowing for more precise adjustments to public health policy if the disease continues to circulate at high levels. Parents who are unsure of their child’s vaccination status are advised to contact their local GP surgery to check their records.
