10 December 2010
Parents, carers and people who work with very young children are urged to vaccinate themselves and their children against pertussis (whooping cough) following a rise in cases in Central Australia during 2010.More than 220 people were diagnosed with whooping cough in Central Australia during the past twelve months, according to Coordinator of the Centre for Disease Control for Alice Springs and Barkly regions, Dr Teem-Wing Yip.
"The majority of cases occurred in older children and adults," Dr Yip said.
"Adults with whooping cough may feel unwell from an annoying cough, but the highly infectious disease can be much more serious in young children," she said.
"Symptoms of whooping cough in adults may be as minor as an annoying cough, but can cause significant illness. In very young children, the disease can be very serious," she said.
"Whooping cough can lead to difficulties breathing. Complications of pneumonia sometimes lead to death in young babies or people with underlying health problems.
"About 1 in 200 children under 6 months of age who develop whooping cough die from pneumonia or brain damage."
Immunity following vaccination or disease is not life-long. Vaccinations should be administered to children at 2, 4 and 6 months. Booster doses are then given at 4 years, and again between the ages of 12 and 17 years.
Parents, siblings, grandparents, friends and others who regularly interact with babies, as well as child care workers and health care workers, are urged to get a pertussis booster regardless of previous disease status.
The vaccine is free to parents and close family members when administered within the first 7 months after a child is born.
"It's best to administer the vaccine to family as soon as possible after birth, to reduce the risk of disease transmission," Dr Yip said.
"Anyone who spends a significant amount of time with very young children should get vaccinated to prevent further cases."
Babies under 6 months of age, even if they have received the vaccinations at 2 and 4 months, are not yet fully protected so providing a pertussis-free environment helps keep them free of pertussis.
Vaccination can be arranged through General Practitioners (a consultation fee may be charged) or by appointment at Community Health at Flynn Drive or at the Central Australian Aboriginal Congress Clinic at Gap Road.
Media Contact: Bridget Wild 89 992 751 or 0401 116 144
