Whooping Cough in Queensland

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: birth parents, foster parents, adoptive parents, grandparents of babies under 6 months of age, and other adults in a household with a baby under 6 months of age.  Mothers of newborn babies should get vaccinated as soon as possible after the birth of the baby.  Other eligible people can request their free vaccination prior to the birth of the baby.
2. WHERE: All QLD service providers are able to vaccinate all eligible groups for pertussis. These include GPs, public clinics such as local government & community health, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander clinics. Many of the hospitals but not all are currently providing pertussis vaccination to Mums.
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

• Cases of whooping cough double
• Queensland expands whooping cough vaccinations
• Whooping cough is reaching epidemic proportions in Queensland
• Whooping cough threat to children