Experts warn horror whooping cough season will see baby's die unless parents vaccinate against the deadly disease

  • Medical experts have warned of a potentially deadly whooping cough season 
  • NSW Health urged parents and pregnant women to seek vaccinations for kids 
  • NSW Health has had almost 800 notifications for whooping cough in October 
  • That is the largest number of incidents since October of 2016  

Medical experts are warning pregnant women and new parents about the risks of whooping cough and said they should ensure their children have been vaccinated. 

Despite almost 95 per cent of infants in NSW now being vaccinated against the disease, outbreaks still occur every three to four years as community immunity wanes, the statement read.

Recent high numbers indicate an outbreak may be on the way, The Northern Star reported.

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Medical experts are warning pregnant women and new parents about the risks of whooping cough and said they should ensure their children have been vaccinated (file photo)

Medical experts are warning pregnant women and new parents about the risks of whooping cough and said they should ensure their children have been vaccinated (file photo)

NSW Health's Director of Communicable Diseases Dr Vicky Sheppeard said the department had been notified of almost 800 people in NSW with whooping cough in October alone which is the highest the highest number in at least two years.

'Whooping cough is challenging to control at the community level, as it is a highly infectious disease and immunity against whooping cough wanes over time, regardless of whether that immunity is from having the disease or as a result of vaccination,' said Dr Sheppeard.

'This means that the number of people susceptible to whooping cough in the community builds up over time and this can cause periodic spikes or larger outbreaks of the disease.

'The aim of whooping cough control is to protect infants, who are at highest risk of severe disease or death if they contract whooping cough. Whooping cough vaccination is effective in preventing severe infection.'

Parents and pregnant women are urged to see their GP who can prescribe antibiotics for whooping cough. 

NSW Health's Director of Communicable Diseases Dr Vicky Sheppeard (pictured)said that almost 800 people in NSW were notified with whooping cough in October alone

NSW Health's Director of Communicable Diseases Dr Vicky Sheppeard (pictured)said that almost 800 people in NSW were notified with whooping cough in October alone

There have been no infant deaths as a result of whooping cough since the NSW Government introduced free whooping cough vaccination for pregnant women in April 2015.

Pregnant woman are advised to get the vaccination at 28 weeks gestation in each pregnancy.

On-time vaccination of infants is important, with the first dose due at six weeks, followed by doses at four months and six months of age. 

Boosters are due at 18 months, four years and in the first year of high school. It is pleasing to see that in the most recent annual report 94.8 per cent of NSW infants had received their full whooping cough course in 2017.

'People in close contact with newborn infants such as grandparents, partners and close family members should ensure that they have had a whooping cough vaccine in the previous 10 years,' Dr Sheppeard said.

On-time vaccination of infants is important, with the first dose due at six weeks, followed by doses at four months and six months of age (file photo)

On-time vaccination of infants is important, with the first dose due at six weeks, followed by doses at four months and six months of age (file photo)

'Those that need to get vaccinated should do so at least two weeks before any infant contact.'

Protecting children from potentially deadly diseases is a key priority for the NSW Government, which is investing $22.75 million in immunisation programs this year.

NSW Health has committed $6.5 million since 2013 to the Save the Date to Vaccinate campaign.

The funds are aimed at providing parents with key messages about the importance of timely vaccination.

Close to $1 million of this funding is being spent on the 2018 campaign, including an update of the popular 'Save the Date to Vaccinate' app.

During this period the percent of children fully vaccinated against all diseases at one year of age has increased from 90 per cent to 93.9 percent.

KEY STRATEGIES TO IDENTIFY, PROTECT AND PREVENT FROM WHOOPING COUGH

  • Identify symptoms: Early diagnosis and treatment of whooping cough – see your GP early and follow their treatment advice; after five days of treatment with appropriate antibiotics people with whooping cough are no longer infectious but without proper treatment they will remain infectious for 21 days.  
  • Protect baby, older children and adults: Timely vaccination of infants, pre-school children, adolescents and adults according to the recommended schedule is essential; and vaccination of pregnant women in the third trimester of pregnancy (preferably at 28 weeks) protects very young babies who are the most vulnerable to severe illness and death from whooping cough.
  • Prevent spread: Minimise the spread of whooping cough or other infectious conditions by practicing good personal hygiene – staying away from child care, school and work when sick; covering mouth and nose with a tissue when coughing and sneezing, and regular hand washing can help reduce spread of whooping cough.

Source: New South Wales Health 

 

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