Prime Highlights:
- A new nasal spray vaccine, BPZE1, could help stop the spread of whooping cough and protect people of all ages, not just babies.
- The vaccine triggers strong immune responses and may prevent people from carrying and passing on the bacteria.
Key Facts:
- In 2024, around 15,000 whooping cough cases were reported in England, with 11 babies dying from the illness.
- The NHS currently gives the whooping cough vaccine as part of the 6-in-1 jab for babies, a booster at age three, and a dose for pregnant women around 20 weeks.
Background:
A new nasal spray vaccine for whooping cough could help stop the disease from spreading. Made at the NIHR Southampton Biomedical Research Centre, the vaccine, called BPZE1, keeps the bacteria from growing in the nose and throat, protecting everyone, not just babies.
In tests, BPZE1 triggered strong immune responses in both the nose and the blood. Unlike current vaccines, it may also stop people from carrying and passing on the bacteria, which is a major improvement over existing vaccines.
Professor Robert Read, who led the Southampton study, described the vaccine as a “big step forward in stopping the spread of the disease.” Public Health Minister Ashley Dalton called it a “major breakthrough,” highlighting its potential to cut transmission and provide longer-lasting protection.
Whooping cough, which initially resembles a common cold, can develop into severe coughing bouts often accompanied by a characteristic “whoop.” The cough may last several weeks or even months. Parents should take their babies under six months to a doctor immediately if they show symptoms of whooping cough.
Right now, the NHS gives the whooping cough vaccine as part of the 6-in-1 jab for babies, a booster at age three, and a dose for pregnant women at around 20 weeks. If BPZE1 passes further tests and is approved, it could be given to both children and adults, which would be a big step forward for public health.
