A significant development has emerged since the introduction of the whooping cough vaccine in 2012. Almost all infant deaths related to the disease were linked to mothers who did not receive the vaccine during pregnancy.
The NHS is exploring a potential new defense against this dangerous bacterial infection in the form of a nasal spray vaccine known as BPZE1. Following a severe outbreak in Britain last year, the government has initiated a trial for this new vaccine to prevent a similar crisis.
While the current injectable vaccine offered by the NHS to pregnant women provides protection to babies in the womb, it does not prevent the carriage and transmission of the bacteria.
Statistics reveal that the existing NHS vaccine has consistently shown high effectiveness, offering up to 91% protection against infant mortality.
Whooping cough, also known as pertussis, is highly contagious, surpassing the infectiousness of measles and even Covid-19. The prolonged infectious period of up to three weeks contributes to its spread, earning it the nickname “100-day cough.”
A significant portion of last year’s reported cases, particularly affecting children under 15, emphasized the heightened risk for infants under three months old who face severe complications from the disease.
The NHS strongly advises vaccination for all pregnant women between 16 and 32 weeks to safeguard newborns during their initial weeks of life. Additionally, infants receive the six-in-one vaccine at eight weeks, followed by subsequent doses at 12 and 16 weeks.
The UK Health Security Agency outlines common symptoms of whooping cough, initially resembling a cold with symptoms progressing to prolonged coughing bouts, especially at night. Infants may exhibit a distinctive gasping sound between coughs, aiding in diagnosis.
In response to the 2024 outbreak, infection rates have significantly decreased this year, with only 896 reported cases in the first half compared to 15,153 in the same period last year.
The Champion-1 study, conducted by ILiAD Biotechnologies and published in The Lancet Microbe journal, showcased promising results for a new whooping cough vaccine. Backed by the NIHR, the study’s findings suggest the potential for preventing bacterial colonization in the human upper respiratory tract.
ILiAD continues to explore the vaccine’s application in maternal use and plans to conduct further clinical trials to support its use during pregnancy. Dr. Stephanie Noviello, ILiAD’s Chief Medical Officer, acknowledges the positive impact of these findings on global public health efforts against whooping cough.
The successful trial was a collaborative effort involving the University Hospital Southampton, the University of Southampton, and the University of Oxford.