Cases of whooping cough are rising in London and new-born babies are particularly at risk.

The only way to protect a new-born baby from whooping cough in their first few weeks of its life is for the mum to have the whooping cough vaccination while pregnant. The vaccination produces antibodies to protect against whooping cough, which are passed from mum to the unborn baby.

If you are pregnant, please speak to your midwife or GP about having the vaccination. They will also be able to answer any questions you may have.

Ideally the vaccination is given between 16 weeks and 32 weeks of pregnancy – often at the 20-week scan in hospital.

Once your baby is eight weeks old, they should have their routine childhood vaccines, including the 6 in 1 vaccine that provides further protection against whooping cough.

The summer is finally here and there are many great music festivals taking place across the country over the next few months. Some people may take recreational drugs at these festivals, so the Council’s health partners want to share ways that attendees can lessen the risk of harm.

The supply and makeup of drugs is always changing, so it's always best to test and check what is in them before you take anything. There is a chance your drugs may be laced with nitazenes, strong synthetic opioids that have been linked with a number of deaths in the UK recently.

Check with the festival to see if there is a drug testing tent, or if there is another way you can get them checked.