department of
health and community services

media release

Whooping cough warning

6th March 2008

Parents across the NT are being urged to ensure that both they and their children are vaccinated against pertussis (whooping cough). Four children in the Darwin region under 6 months of age have been diagnosed with whooping cough this year, 3 of these children were hospitalised.

Director of Disease Control, Dr Vicki Krause said whooping cough is a highly infectious disease that causes attacks of coughing and can lead to pneumonia and sometimes death in young babies.

“About 1 in 150 children under 6 months of age who develop whooping cough die from pneumonia or brain damage.

“Whooping cough normally begins like a ‘cold’ with an irritating cough and then develops into a severe, persistent cough,” she said.

The disease can be prevented or reduced in severity, in young children and babies by vaccination.

Vaccinations should be administered to children at 2, 4 and 6 months with a booster at 4 years.

Babies under 6 months of age, even if they have received the 2 and 4 month old vaccinations, are not fully protected so are dependent on those around them being immunised.

Director of Disease Control, Dr Vicki Krause said “Immunity following vaccination is not lifelong and adolescents, parents and those working with children need a booster vaccine to prevent infection and transmission to babies who are at greatest risk.”

A free combination vaccine for whooping cough, diphtheria and tetanus is available and is being offered to Year 8 students in a school-based vaccination program in the NT.

It is also recommended that parents of infants, those anticipating having children and adults working with young children, should have a booster dose of the whooping cough vaccine, available by prescription from your general practitioner.

For further information on whooping cough and immunisation contact your GP, health clinic or the Centre for Disease Control (89 22 8044).

Media: Lorraine Hook 0401 116203