‘Critical shortage’ of antibiotics to treat ‘100-day cough’ as UK faces ‘worst outbreak for 40 years’

PHARMACISTS are warning of shortages of whooping cough antibiotics as the UK faces the biggest outbreak in over a decade.

Five infants have died of the highly contagious illness between January and March, with confirmed cases this year more than triple the total for the whole of 2023.

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Dr Leyla Hannbeck of the Independent Pharmacies Association said some pharmacists are being forced to send patients away empty-handed as they struggle to get enough of the drugs into their stores.

An order form seen by Sun Health shows wholesaler shortages of clarithromycin, a common antibiotic used to treat whooping cough in babies and children.

“We have had an ongoing problem with the supply of common antibiotics for two years now, and this current epidemic of whooping cough is putting an additional strain on supplies,” Dr Leyla said.

“While the shortage isn’t widespread, there are sporadic problems getting hold of these drugs in pockets across the country.

Cases on the rise

Known the “100-day cough” – because of how long it persists – the bug can be particularly serious for babies and infants.

The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) previously warned of a steady decline in uptake of the vaccine in pregnant women and children.

Nearly 3,000 cases were confirmed in the first three months of this year, compared to 858 in all of 2023.

Paul Hunter, a professor of medicine at the University of East Anglia, previously warned that we might be on the cusp of the worst whooping cough outbreak in four decades.

“It used to be much more common in the last century up until the vaccine was introduced,” he said.

“However, this current year looks like we may see more cases than we have seen in any of the last 40 years.”

The latest medicine supply issue suggests medicine shortages in the UK are going from bad to worse.

In 2022, during an outbreak of Strep A, clarithromycin and penicillin were widely unavailable.

There have also been ongoing problems with the supply of hormone replacement therapy (HRT) drugs, ADHD medicines, antidepressants and, most recently, insulin.

For whooping cough, GPs can prescribe one of four antibiotics: clarithromycin, erythromycin, azithromycin and co-trimoxazole.

While they may not relieve symptoms, the drugs can stop the infection from spreading to others.

For babies, clarithromycin in liquid form is preferred, although azithromycin can also be used.

Order forms suggest some pharmacists can only source clarithromycin in tablet form.

Get vaccinated

The best way to protect your family from it is by getting vaccinated.

Jab uptake in pregnant women has fallen to a seven-year low.

It dropped from over 70 per cent in September 2017 to around 58 per cent in September 2023.

Vaccine rates in children have also fallen – especially in parts of London where fewer than three in five kids are fully protected.

Parents have been urged to check that their child is protected, and the UKHSA is reminding mums-to-be to get the jab so their babies are protected at birth.

It is offered as part of the six-in-one jab when babies are eight, 12 and 16 weeks old.

The number of two-year-olds who completed their six-in-one vaccinations as of September 2023 is 92.9 per cent, compared with 96.3 per cent in March 2014.

Dr Gayatri Amirthalingam, UKHSA consultant epidemiologist, said: “Whooping cough can affect people of all ages but for very young infants, it can be particularly serious.

“However, vaccinating pregnant women is highly effective in protecting babies from birth until they can receive their own vaccines.

“Parents can also help protect their children by ensuring they receive their vaccines at the right time or catching up as soon as possible if they have missed any.

“If you’re unsure, please check your child’s red book or get in touch with your GP surgery.”

How to tackle whooping cough without antibiotics

If whooping cough is diagnosed within three weeks of the infection, you’ll be given antibiotics to help stop it spreading to others. 

To ease the symptoms, you should rest and drink plenty of fluids.

Painkillers like paracetamol or ibuprofen can also be taken, as well as hot lemon and honey drinks and herbal medicine called pelargonium (if over the age of 12).

Pharmacists can also advise on the best cough syrups, medicines, sweets, and supplements.

You should see your GP if a cough has lasted longer than three weeks, you are losing weight for no reason, or you have a weakened immune system.