4 may 2011
Families and carers of young children are being urged to vaccinate against whooping cough (also known as pertussis) amid a large increase in cases nationwide over the past two years.
"In 2008 there were 14,516 cases of whooping cough nationwide. In 2010, the number of annual notifications increased to 34,486," Director of the Centre for Disease Control, Dr Vicki Krause said.
"Infants are most at risk of ill effects from whooping cough and tragically six babies under the age of six months have died of the preventable disease in Australia since 2008.
"The increase in whooping cough cases has been evident in the NT during the past three years, with 32 cases recorded from January to March 2011."
Vaccinations are given at 2, 4 and 6 months of age, but babies are not fully protected until their 6 month dose.
"Studies have shown that many babies with whooping cough caught the disease from their parents or siblings, so it is important that families with young babies are up to date with their immunisations.
"People anticipating having children and adults working with young children should also consider a booster vaccine," Dr Krause advised.
Recently, two young children with whooping cough attended child-care centres in the NT while infectious. Centre for Disease Control staff provided immunisation advice and preventive treatment to all vulnerable children and staff at the two centres.
"There have been no further whooping cough notifications connected with the two child-care centres," Dr Krause said.
"Whooping cough normally begins like a 'cold' with an irritating cough and then develops into episodes of coughing bouts often followed by dry retching and vomiting. It is a highly infectious disease that can cause pneumonia and sometimes death in young babies as well as other vulnerable persons with lung or age-related disease. "
Whooping Cough Immunisation Information:
Immunisation is the best prevention for whooping cough.
Babies can be protected with a free combination vaccine containing whooping cough given at 6-8 weeks after birth and then at 4 and 6 months of age.
A free booster dose of vaccine should be given between three and a half and four years of age and an additional booster dose should be given as part of a school based program at age 13 years (Year 8).
Immunity following vaccination is not life-long and adolescents, parents and those working with children need a booster vaccine to prevent infection and transmission to babies who are at greatest risk.
Free whooping cough combination vaccines for adults can be offered to the following groups:
- All fathers and carers in the same household of an infant under the age of 7 months. The vaccine can be given to this group from the time the expectant mother has reached the 28th week of pregnancy.
- All new mothers after delivery of the baby if they have not received the vaccine in hospital prior to discharge (the vaccine is not given during pregnancy)
Other high risk groups who should receive vaccine by obtaining a prescription from their doctor include:
- Health care workers
· Parents planning a pregnancy
· Adults working with young children including child care workers and teachers
Further information on whooping cough and immunisation can be obtained from your GP, health clinic or the NT Centre for Disease Control.
Contact: Robin Osborne, Media Director, (08) 8999 2886 - 0488 692 781
