This is a key step in preventing the spread of infection and, with further trials and regulatory approval, this vaccine could be given to adults or children.

The vaccine, called BPZE1, was tested in a clinical trial delivered through the NIHR Southampton Biomedical Research Center (BRC) and NIHR Southampton Clinical Research Facility (CRF).

Professor Robert Read, who led the study at the NIHR Southampton BRC and University of Southampton, said, “This is the first time a whooping cough vaccine has been shown to prevent the bacteria from colonizing the nose and throat in humans. That could represent a big step forward in stopping the spread of the disease.”