Whooping Cough in New South Wales

A. The number of people who have been diagnosed with whooping cough:

B. FREE Adult whooping cough vaccination program:

Australia is currently experiencing an epidemic of whooping cough. In light of this, some states and territories are offering free adult whooping cough vaccinations for certain groups against pertussis for certain groups who have close contact with newborns.

1. WHO: new parents, grandparents and carers of babies under 12 months of age.
2. WHERE: GP clinics, Aboriginal Medical Services, maternity hospitals and some community health centres
3. WHEN: program runs until the end of 2011. (EXTENDED to 30 June 2012)

Please refer to the State Health Department website for up-to-date program information.

A single booster dose of adult whooping cough vaccine is recommended for all adults planning a pregnancy, for both parents as soon as possible after delivery of an infant, grandparents, healthcare and childcare workers.²

C. Local media articles on whooping cough

• More testing finds more coughing
• Spike in SE whooping cough
• Whooping cough warning for Riverina residents
• Whooping cough cases rise
• Whooping cough epidemic hits mid north coast
• Vaccination a victim of its own success
• Sutherland Shire babies may have been exposed to whooping cough