MORE than half of Warrington mums had the whooping cough vaccine in December, according to latest statistics.

But health chiefs are urging more to take up the offer.

Of the 71 pregnant women in the town who gave birth at the end of last year, 53.5 per cent had the vaccine which can protect new born infants against the potentially deadly virus.

The figure was below north west stats, which saw 66.2 per cent of women vaccinated, and Englad, which saw 54.5 per cent vaccinated.

Professor David Salisbury, director of immunisation, said: β€œIn England 14 infants died as a result of whooping cough in 2012 so it's vital that babies are protected from the day they are born.”