An increase in pertussis, also known as whooping cough, is being seen across the UK and Europe.

Cases of pertussis have also increased in Scotland since the beginning of the year.

This is a bar chart showing the number of laboratory reports of Bordetella pertussis by month from 2012 through to the end of March 2024. The figure shows the outbreak that occurred in 2012 into 2013 with 1,896 and 1,188 reports, respectively, as well as an increase in activity that occurred in 2016 (1,075 reports). From the first quarter of 2020, cases can be seen to drop to nearly zero with only four cases reported in 2021 and three cases reported in 2022. Pertussis activity has been increasing since late 2023. 73 cases were reported in 2023, most of which were in the last quarter of the year, and there were 1,084 laboratory confirmed cases in the first quarter of 2024.

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Number of laboratory reports of Bordetella pertussis in Scotland by month, 2012 to March 2024

You can see the latest surveillance data on the pertussis section of our website.

Benefits of getting vaccinated

Public Health Scotland (PHS) is encouraging pregnant women to get immunised against pertussis.

The vaccine offers vital protection to babies from birth until they are old enough to have their first routine immunisations, starting at 8 weeks of age.

Parents are encouraged to ensure their children are fully immunised against pertussis, as it is a highly contagious bacterial infection of the lungs and airways.

Pertussis causes long bouts of coughing.

Symptoms to look out for include:

• cold-like symptoms, such as a runny nose, red and watery eyes, sore throat and slightly raised temperature
• intense coughing bouts starting about a week later
• coughing up thick mucus, which may be followed by vomiting
• gasping for breath between coughs, which may cause a ‘whoop’ sound – although not everyone has this

Find out more about pertussis on NHS inform.

Getting vaccinated

Vaccination in pregnancy

Those who are pregnant are encouraged to speak to their midwife about getting the pertussis vaccine.

Find out more about pregnancy and baby immunisations on NHS inform.

If a child has missed a dose

Parents are encouraged to contact their local NHS immunisation team to arrange for their children to get vaccinated if they have missed any doses. 

Contact details are available on NHS inform or by calling 0800 22 44 88.