Australian whooping cough (pertussis) rates are increasing significantly. In the first three weeks of 2011 more than 600 cases were reported, double the number of cases for the same time in 2010. Immunity from the pertussis vaccine is not lifelong and infected adults, including child care workers and early years professionals, may be passing the infection on to children.
Free vaccinations are available for parents of newborns, however the Australian Medical Association has written to the Victorian Government, requesting that free vaccinations be made available for grandparents, health professionals, child care workers and those who handle babies. It is their belief that the increase in reported cases of pertussis is due to the decrease in immunity amongst Australian adults.
The recommended schedule for the pertussis vaccination is at two, four and six months of age, with booster doses at four years of age and in year 10 at secondary school. Children up to one year old 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, children 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. Child care and early years centres 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 general practitioner if their child is unwell and displays respiratory symptoms
- Reviewing and displaying the service's exclusion policy.
For more information go to the Australian Government's Department of Health and Ageing website or call the Information Line on 1800 671 811.
