An extra whooping cough booster for 18 month olds

An extra whooping cough booster for 18 month olds

This article has been contributed by Dr Julie Beak. Dr Beak is a Specialist Paediatrician who works with Dr Kate Davies and Dr John Gunn in a private group practice called Paedicare . They provide 24 hour neonatal care to the Mater Mothers’ Private Brisbane and also General Paediatric services to newborns, infants, children, and their families.

One question I often get asked by mums is “how can I stop my baby getting whooping cough when they’re not fully immunised?” This is an important question and valid concern, especially as whooping cough is so dangerous in babies under six months of age. Sadly, a high proportion of hospitalisations and almost all deaths attributed to whooping cough occur in babies too young to have received the vaccine, or have only received one dose of the vaccine.

Whooping cough, also known as pertussis, is highly contagious and is often spread between family members or close contacts. Whooping cough can be prevented by vaccination, and it is recommended that adults receive the vaccination at least two weeks before close contact with the baby. It is also recommended that pregnant women receive the vaccination between 28 and 32 weeks of gestation.

However, often forgotten are the young siblings or toddlers in the house, who also have close contact with the new baby and have the potential to transmit the disease.

To help prevent the spread between siblings, the Australian Government Department of Health has released a statement recommending a pertussis booster that has been added to the National Immunisation Program schedule for children at 18 months of age. This booster for 18 month olds is another way to reduce the risk of your young baby contracting whooping cough and I strongly support the idea.

The booster dose complements the pertussis vaccinations given at two, four and six months with booster doses at four years and 10 to 15 years. Supplies of the vaccine will be available from March 2016.

The Australian Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation (ATAGI) considers the introduction of a pertussis booster dose at 18 months necessary from a public health perspective to improve whooping cough control. This is due to waning immunity and an increase in the number of infections in the two to nine year old age group.

Introduction of the booster dose at 18 months is intended to lead to a reduction in cases of whooping cough in the 18 month to four year age group. While whooping cough is not as severe in the majority of these children, this cohort plays an important role in overall disease transmission, particularly to vulnerable babies.

It’s important to remember to keep your newborn baby away from anyone who is unwell, particularly those with a cough. If you have any concerns that your baby has whooping cough, please visit your GP or local hospital emergency department.

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For urgent assessment at any stage of your pregnancy, please present to your nearest emergency centre or Mater Mothers’ 24/7 Pregnancy Assessment Centre in South Brisbane.

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