The Guardian sent detailed questions to the US health department, Bigtree and Siri. Among the questions the Guardian asked was a request for each to comment on criticism that the Mississippi court case led to a surge in whooping cough cases, and ultimately the death of a baby. None responded directly to that claim.

“They see this as a victory. But I think pediatricians see it as an assault on our patients, and an assault on families,” said Dr Anita Henderson, a Hattiesburg pediatrician. Bigtree is “taking this situation to raise funds to do this in other states”.