A new nasal spray vaccine for whooping cough could play a key role in stopping the spread of this highly contagious and often fatal disease, scientists have announced.
England has seen a significant increase, with around 15,000 cases reported in 2024, up from 856 last year.
Despite NHS vaccines available for babies, children and pregnant women, a government-funded trial found that BPZE1 nasal spray prevented whooping cough bacteria from colonizing the nose and throat, which is vital to prevent transmission. It also induces strong immune responses in the nasal passages and blood, indicating long-term protection.
Current vaccines do not provide lifelong protection and do not prevent people from carrying the bacteria or spreading it.
The trial is supported by the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR), which is funded by the Department of Health and Social Care.
Public Health Minister Ashley Dalton said the test was a “major advance in our fight against whooping cough”.
Unlike the existing vaccine for pregnant women, which protects babies in the womb and prevents nine out of 10 babies from dying, this new nasal spray vaccine works in a completely different way – by preventing bacteria from living in the nose and throat.
This means it can reduce transmission and provide longer protection for everyone, not just babies.
“This is a powerful showcase of the UK’s world-class research sector, which is driving innovation to protect future generations.”
Professor Robert Reid, who led the study at the NIHR Southampton Biomedical Research Centre, said the vaccine “could be a huge step forward in stopping the spread of the disease”.
The Champion-1 study for the vaccine, developed by ILiAD Biotechnologies, involved 53 adults and was published in The Lancet Microbe journal.
If the findings are confirmed in further trials and the new vaccine is approved, it could be administered to adults or children.
The first symptoms of whooping cough are similar to the common cold, but progress to coughing fits that can include a “whooping” sound.
Coughing can last for several weeks or months, and parents are urged to seek an urgent appointment if their baby is under six months old and has symptoms of whooping cough.
The pertussis vaccine is typically given as part of the 6-in-1 vaccine for young infants, while a preschool booster is also given at age three.
Pregnant women can inject this vaccine in the 20th week of pregnancy.
