Newborn babies with fledgling immune systems are the most vulnerable(уязвимы) to the disease. They are also too young to be vaccinated - doses are given at two, three and four months of age.
It led to an emergency vaccination programme for pregnant(беременные) women, between 28 and 38 weeks, across the UK. The theory is that the mother's immune system should create more antibodies(антитела) to attack the whooping(коклюш) cough bacterium. These should pass from the mother to the child in the womb(в утробе) and offer protection when a baby is born.
More than 40% of eligible women had the jab(удар) in October, which health experts said was "extraordinarily good".
It is still too early to say if the measure(мера) has made a difference, however.
There were no deaths from whooping cough reported last month.
Prof David Salisbury, the director of immunisation at the Department of Health, said: "Thirteen infants have died as a result of whooping cough this year and there have been more than 400 cases of the disease in children under three months old.
"It's vital that babies are protected from the day they are born - that's why we are encouraging all pregnant women to be vaccinated.
I think it's very dangerous to have this illness.Mothers can protect their babies when they are in the womb.I think it is nesessary to to be vaccinated.Every person shoul do it.We should be healthy people... -What do you think about this article? -Do you always vaccinate? -Will you vaccinate your children in the future? -Do you know what is the illness the whooping cough? -How do you think is it important to be healthy?
It is a complicated question. In the one hand vaccination is really useful but there are a lot of incidents when people caught serious diseases after vaccination.
This topic is very disturbed me because this year my sister and niece was born. I worry a lot for them. Vaccination is useful at any age. But It is especially important for babies. I hope that this vaccine will help reduce infant mortality.
It is an informative article, it makes you think about the future. Indeed, children's health important for any mother. Every mother wants to protect a child. I think the vaccine need everyone. Of course, it is important to be healthy.
Do you think the vaccine can always protect people from disease?
