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Significant Increase In Whooping Cough Rates
AMA calls for free whooping cough vaccinations for all adults handling babies

Australian whooping cough (pertussis) rates are increasing dramatically and in the first three weeks of 2011 more than 600 cases were reported, double the number of cases for the same time in 2010.

Health Department officials say rates are increasing because immunity from the pertussis vaccine is not lifelong and infected adults, including child care workers, may be passing the infection on to children.

Pertussis vaccination is recommended at two, four and six months of age, with booster doses at four years of age and in year 10 at secondary school. Babies under 12 months of age who have not received three doses of the pertussis vaccine are most vulnerable and are at high risk for severe disease or death from the infection.

Pertussis in adults, infants under six months and vaccinated children does not always present with the typical whoop. Infections usually start with a runny nose, sneezing and tiredness, followed by the onset of a persistent and sometimes distressing cough that can last for weeks, even after treatment.

Coughing bouts can be very severe and frightening, and in some may end with a crowing noise (the whoop). This occurs as air is drawn back into the chest, and can be followed by vomiting or gagging.

A person is infectious from the early symptoms up to three weeks after the onset of the cough, unless they have been treated with appropriate antibiotics for five days.

The significant increase in whooping cough rates has caused the Australian Medical Association (AMA) to call for free vaccinations for all adults handling babies.

Free vaccinations are currently available to the parents of newborns, however AMA President Dr Harry Hemley recently wrote to the Victorian Government to request that grandparents, health professionals and child care workers also receive a free vaccination.

Dr Hemley said the increase in reported cases indicated that immunity among Australian adults was decreasing.

What can childcare centres do?

Child care services can help prevent the spread of whooping cough by doing the following:

Encouraging (and assisting) child care staff to have the adult pertussis booster vaccination as soon as possible.
Reminding parents to get their children vaccinated on time.
Keeping an updated written record of the vaccination status of staff and children in your service.
Notifying your local public health unit immediately if any staff or children in your service are diagnosed with pertussis.
Ensuring all staff regularly wash their hands, particularly after contact with respiratory secretions (e.g., caring for a coughing child or wiping noses)
Referring parents to a GP if their child is unwell and displays respiratory symptoms.
Reviewing and displaying your service's exclusion policy.

For more immunisation information click here