ALERT: HSE in warning to pregnant women after number of babies hospitalised

The HSE has issued a reminder to pregnant women to protect themselves and their babies by getting the whooping cough (pertussis) vaccine between 16 to 36 weeks of pregnancy.

The vaccine is available free of charge from participating GPs and provides "vital immunity" for new born babies during their earliest and most vulnerable months of life, the HSE says.

A statement continued: "Whooping cough tends to surge in cycles every five to six years and 2024 saw a record high for whooping cough, with over 539 confirmed cases. The trend has continued into early 2025, with cases expected to rise further in the spring and summer months.

"Last year, one in four cases (26%) were hospitalised. While no infant deaths from whooping cough were reported in 2024, tragically, in previous years, some young infants have died from the disease."

Dr Ciara Conlan, Specialist Registrar in Public Health Medicine with the Department of Public Health – HSE Dublin and Midlands, emphasised the importance of vaccination for pregnant women to protect their infants: “Young babies are most vulnerable to whooping cough because they do not start their whooping cough vaccines until they are two months old. They are at higher risk of serious complications, including breathing complications, hospitalisation and, in rare cases, death. In January and February the team in our region was notified of 13 confirmed cases of pertussis, and 31% of these were hospitalised. 75% of the hospitalised cases were aged between 0-5 months.

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“However, the good news is that when mothers get vaccinated during pregnancy, they protect both themselves and their baby. The vaccination passes on important immunity that will protect the baby from birth until they are old enough to get their own vaccines. It’s one of the most effective ways to protect your baby’s health before they can receive their own vaccines.”

Dr Ciara Martin, Paediatrician and the National Clinical Advisor for Children and Young People, HSE, highlighted the severe impact of whooping cough on new-borns and the importance of maternal vaccination: “As a Paediatrician, I have seen first-hand the impact whooping cough can have on very young babies.

“Babies with pertussis often struggle to breathe. Pertussis can also cause severe coughing fits which affect the babies’ ability to feed and sleep and some infants will need intensive hospital care. The reality is that whooping cough can be life threatening for young babies, yet a simple vaccine during pregnancy can provide them with vital protection from birth. The whooping cough vaccine given in pregnancy has been shown to be safe and effective for both mother and baby.”

Dr Scott Walkin, GP and member of the Irish College of GPs (ICGP), added: “The vaccine is a simple and effective way to ensure your new-born starts life with strong protection. Women can access the vaccine through their participating GP during the recommended window of pregnancy (16-36 weeks).”

For more information about the whooping cough vaccine and the Primary Childhood Immunisation Programme, visit www.immunisation.ie or www.mychild.ie