Pregnant women are being encouraged to take a prenatal vaccine following a rise in cases of whooping cough.

The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) revealed a significant spike, with 2,591 cases reported in May, following a steady increase from 555 in January, 1,427 in March, and 2,106 in April.

This has prompted UKHSA North West and NHS England North West to push the prenatal pertussis vaccination.

The majority of cases were found in those aged 15 or older, who usually experience a less severe illness.

However, high numbers continue to be reported in babies under three months old who are at a greater risk from whooping cough.

Since the current outbreak of whooping cough began in November last year, there have been nine infant deaths.

NHS data indicates providing vaccinations at the right time during pregnancy are highly effective, giving 92 per cent protection against infant death.

The uptake of the vaccine has seen a significant drop in the North West, falling from a peak coverage of 73.1 per cent in April 2019 to 56.5 per cent in March this year.

Hayley Mercer, consultant in health protection for UKHSA North West, said: "It is vital that during pregnancy, you are vaccinated against whooping cough before your baby is born.

"Whooping cough can affect people of all ages but for very young babies, it can be particularly serious.

"This is why vaccination during pregnancy is highly effective by protecting babies from birth until they can receive their own vaccines."

Women can access the vaccine, which also protects against diphtheria and tetanus, through their GP or some antenatal services.

Linda Charles-Ozuzu, regional director of commissioning at NHS England North West, added: "Mums-to-be are offered the pertussis vaccine in pregnancy, passing on protection against whooping cough to their baby from birth until they are old enough to be vaccinated themselves from 8 weeks’ old.

“Whooping cough can be a very serious illness in young babies, so if you are pregnant and have not been vaccinated, or if your child hasn’t yet had the 6-in-1 combination vaccine, please contact your GP surgery to book an appointment. “