Trinity College researchers claim to have developed 'groundbreaking' whooping cough vaccine

The innovation centres on a needle-free vaccine platform that works with mucus in the nose. This can induce lasting immunity directly at the infection site for patients, the research said.

A new “groundbreaking” whooping cough vaccine offers stronger protection and could potentially stop patients infecting other people, its Irish-based developers have said.

Rates of whooping cough infection across Europe have been rising to great alarm in the medical world. Last year alone there were almost 300,000 infections in Europe —  a three-fold increase on the year before —  the World Health Organisation warned.