THERE have already been 56 cases of whooping cough reported in the Murrumbidgee Local Health District this year, prompting warnings of an epidemic.
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The district had 249 notifications in 2014 and 56 this year so far.
Murrumbidgee Local Health District public health director Tracey Oakman said epidemics of pertussis occurred every three to four years, as community immunity wears down.
“The last outbreak was in early 2012 and we are seeing the kind of numbers that may indicate we are heading towards another epidemic,” Ms Oakman said.
NSW Health will provide free vaccinations against Pertussis (whooping cough) to pregnant women during their third trimester.
The announcement comes shortly after the death of little Riley Hughes, the four-week-old Perth boy who died after contracting whooping cough.
His parents Cath and Greg have mounted a campaign to effect change in the fight against whooping cough and encourage more people to be vaccinated against the deadly disease.
Mrs Hughes expressed her heartache on Facebook, writing “I never expected to leave that hospital without you in my arms. I love you so much my little man. Tomorrow will be a tough day and I would give anything to hold you close again.”
Murrumbidgee Local Health District director of public health Tracey Oakman said NSW Health would fund the new initiative during the current outbreak of whooping cough.
“We urge pregnant women to ensure they are vaccinated in their third trimester, ideally at 28-32 weeks, as it offers the best protection for babies until their first vaccination at six to eight weeks of age,” Ms Oakman said.
The NHMRC, which is responsible for endorsing the Australian Immunisation Handbook, updated its advice after a review of available evidence showed that immunising pregnant mothers in the third trimester significantly reduced the incidence of whooping cough in newborn babies and therefore lessens the risk of infant death.
“Whooping cough vaccination during pregnancy has been studied in more than 37,000 women in the United State and the United Kingdom and is shown to be very safe,” Mrs Oakman said.
“Studies in the UK, United States and Israel provide evidence that the best way to protect infants too young to be vaccinated themselves – who are at the highest risk of morbidity and mortality – is through vaccinating the mother during pregnancy. It is vital that parents also ensure all their children are up to date with their vaccinations to minimise the risk of whooping cough circulating the family. Adults in close contact with young babies should also discuss the benefits of the vaccine, which is also available on prescription, with their GP.”
Ms Oakman said whooping cough was easily spread to new babies.
She said it was important to keep people with coughs away from them.
Pertussis disease notifications in NSW have been increasing since mid-2014.