MOTHERS are being urged to make sure they are vaccinated against whooping cough following a 25 per cent increase in cases of the potentially fatal disease.

According to statistics released this week by NHS England thousands of pregnant women in the southern region are passing up the opportunity to have the jab.

The region, which includes Swindon, Wiltshire, Gloucestershire and Oxfordshire, saw 1,141 cases in 2014 of the condition, which can lead to brain damage, pneumonia and other complications. A year later the figure was 1,432.

In the Swindon area 73.4 per cent of expectant mothers had the vaccine, but in Wiltshire the rate dropped to 64.2 per cent.

Newborns and young babies are particularly vulnerable to infection and the vaccine protects them from birth until they are old enough to have their first immunisations.

Pertussis, which became known as whooping cough because of the sound it creates, can cause fits, kidney problems and breathing difficulties. Last year four babies died as a result of the infection.

Swindon GP Dr Peter Swinyard said although people tended to think it was a disease of the past it was still very much a risk to babies and it was wise to ensure they were immunised.

“You only need to see a baby with whooping cough to realise it would be very unkind not to vaccinate,” he said.

And he stressed that parents could speak to their GP for information and reassurance.

Regional medical director Dr Nigel Acheson said: “The number of infections increased by 25% across the South region in 2015, but despite the risk, on average just 60% of women receive the vaccination, meaning many are putting their baby at risk.

“As we are also approaching the winter flu season, I also urge pregnant women to receive their free flu vaccination, which they can have at the same time as whooping cough. This way they will protect themselves and their baby from both potentially fatal illnesses.”

The vaccine is given at a GP practice or in maternity units at the point of the foetal abnormality scan, from 20 weeks of pregnancy.

Ideally it should be given before 32 weeks, but it can still be given right up to the point of labour, although then its effectiveness is reduced.