What determines uptake of pertussis vaccine in pregnancy? A cross sectional survey in an ethnically diverse population of pregnant women in London

•Uptake of pertussis vaccine in pregnancy in our population was only 26%.•Although nationally recommended, only 63% of pregnant women interviewed were even aware of the pertussis vaccination programme.•Lack of encouragement from healthcare professionals was identified as the main reason.•91% of women believed healthcare professionals need to become more engaged in providing timely information about vaccines in pregnancy.