05 September 2009

NSW leads the nation against whooping cough epidemic

NSW Minister for Health John Hatzistergos will today announce that NSW is to lead a national campaign to protect infants against whooping cough following an outbreak that has seen the number of cases increase threefold on last year.

At a meeting in Canberra yesterday, state and federal health ministers backed a NSW initiative to set up a National Immunisation Strategy to tackle the epidemic.

In the past 12 months, Mr Hatzistergos said the number of people infected nationwide has increased threefold to 27,000, up from 7,500 the previous 12 months.

“Whooping cough is a highly contagious but preventable disease which has claimed the lives of three children this year, including one infant in NSW,” he said.

“Young babies under 12 months are most at risk and I strongly urge new parents to heed the advice of medical experts and protect their children.

“Parents should already have themselves, carers and close family vaccinated and ensure that their newborns are vaccinated when they reach six weeks old.”

Mr Hatzistergos applauded the Commonwealth and the other states for strongly endorsing the NSW proposal to develop the National Immunisation Strategy on Whooping Cough as a matter of urgency.

“The national strategy will help prevent the spread of the disease and protect our most vulnerable children,” the Minister said.

“It will also raise awareness about the need for boosters for new parents and child care workers and counteract the spread of misinformation about immunisation.”

Since the epidemic was identified early this year, the NSW Government has committed $8.25 million to provide 330,000 free doses of whooping cough vaccine for infants, parents, grandparents and carers of infants under 12 months.

“In NSW, almost 300,000 free doses have been provided so far this year,” he said.

“Medical experts recommend all children be given the combination vaccine which protects against whooping cough, and five other diseases.

“Parents are urged to bring the first dose, which is normally given at two, four and six months of age, forward to six weeks of age to provide earlier protection.

Whooping cough is easily spread by droplets from coughing and symptoms may initially include runny nose, tiredness and mild fever.

“To protect newborn babies, it is important to keep them away from people with coughs and other flu-like symptoms,” Mr Hatzistergos said.

For a range of health information, go online to www.health.nsw.gov.au