Vaccination for school children to stop whooping cough outbreak

1/10/04
More than 100,000 Western Australian secondary school students will be offered immunisation against the highly infectious disease whooping cough under a massive campaign launched by Health Minister Jim McGinty today.
Mr McGinty said the $3.75million campaign, which would be funded by the State and Federal Governments, was designed to boost immunity against whooping cough in secondary school students and prevent an epidemic spreading throughout the community.
"Immunisation will be offered to all public and private secondary school students (Years 8-12) when they return to school after the October school holidays," he said.
Mr McGinty said WA was experiencing its highest level of whooping cough since 1997-98, when more than 1,200 cases were reported, one of which led to the death of an 11-week-old boy.
"The incidence of whooping cough has risen sharply in recent months with outbreaks recorded in the Great Southern and South-West regions," he said.
"This year, 850 cases have been reported State-wide to the end of September, with more than 200 cases occurring in the past two weeks."
Whooping cough (or pertussis) is an infectious bacterial disease spread by respiratory droplets and causing a persistent cough. The cough, with a characteristic whoop sound, can be so violent as to cause vomiting and headache. There are few symptoms associated with its onset and the cough is often the first sign of the infection.
Mr McGinty said a campaign of this magnitude had not been undertaken in such an early phase of a whooping cough epidemic anywhere in Australia.
"This pre-emptive action should prevent illness and hospital admissions and help minimise disruptions to schooling, work and family life," he said.
"One shot of the whooping cough booster vaccine gives another six to 10 years of protection, which means that vaccinated students are unlikely to catch whooping cough and spread it to other students, their family and friends.
"I strongly advise parents to follow the Department of Health's recommendation to have their children immunised."
The Minister said students with babies or young children in their family should be vaccinated as a priority.
"Whooping cough is particularly dangerous to babies, and it would be tragic if a baby died or was hospitalised because a parent, brother or sister brought whooping cough into their home," he said.
The whooping cough booster vaccine, Boostrix, was also recommended for parents before planning pregnancy or as soon as possible after delivery.
Mr McGinty also urged parents to ensure that their babies were fully immunised against whooping cough.
The routine whooping cough immunisation schedule is at two, four, and six months of age, followed by boosters at four years and in Year Seven at primary school. Children who are not immunised and in this age group should urgently consult their General Practitioner.
Whooping cough vaccinations were also available at general practitioners or local immunisation clinics.
The Minister said Year 12 students sitting final exams might wish to seek advice from their GP on the best timing for their vaccination.
For more information about whooping cough and whooping cough immunisation, visit the department's website at http://www.health.wa.gov.au/whoopingcough
Minister's office: 9220 5000
Department of Health: Bronwen Kelly 9222 4333