Free whooping cough vaccine essential this season
Infants are at increased risk of falling prey to the national whooping
cough (pertussis) epidemic as families gather to celebrate Christmas.
During this high-risk period Waikato DHB is urging pregnant women in the
Waikato region to make the most of its free whooping cough
immunisation.
The DHB is offering this vaccination through regional GP practices to
women from 20 weeks of pregnancy up to a fortnight after the birth of
their babies.
The vaccine reduces the risk of the pregnant mother contracting whooping
cough and can help protect the baby for at least the first six weeks of
life through antibodies passed through the placenta and through breast
milk.
“The vaccine is particularly important at this time of year because 70
per cent of babies contract whooping cough from household contact,” said
Waikato DHB immunisation coordinator Kim Hunter.
“Christmas increases the risk of babies contracting whooping cough.
Families, who are carrying it, come together and pass it onto babies who
are much more vulnerable. The illness is not seasonal so it’s vital we
don’t let our guard down just because winter is over.”
Whooping cough is a very contagious illness that commonly results in bouts of severe coughing.
“The illness can cause babies to stop breathing. Severe whooping cough
can lead to pneumonia, collapsed lungs, or even brain damage or death,”
said Mrs Hunter.
“It’s frightening for parents to see, and we are continuing to have babies hospitalised in the Waikato.”
The symptoms can last up to three months and can be especially severe in infants under one year of age.
“This free maternal vaccination is key for protecting babies who are too
young to be vaccinated. We’re also recommending that partners,
siblings, and extended family members go to their GP to be vaccinated.”
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Hamilton mother of three Amy Thomsen recently received Waikato DHB's free whooping cough immunisation to help protect twin girls Hudson and Georgia.
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Hamilton mother of three Amy Thomsen recently received the free immunisation.
"I was very pleased to be able to do something to provide some early protection for my newborn twin babies during this whooping cough outbreak.
“I would really encourage all pregnant women to get their vaccinations too so they can protect their precious babies, and then get the babies immunised on time at six weeks of age," she said.
Mrs Hunter expressed further concern that babies are not getting vaccinated on time.
“All babies should all be fully vaccinated by five months. Sadly, only 67 per cent of six-month-old babies are vaccinated and only 80 per cent of eight month old babies are vaccinated,” she said.
Childhood vaccination is free for all infants aged six weeks, three months and five months and these three doses of vaccine during infancy will protect about 80 per cent of recipients from whooping cough infection through to about 4-6 years of age.
“Being vaccinated on time, every time, dramatically decreases the risk of infant hospitalisation.”
Facts about pertussis and the vaccine:
- Around seven out of 10 babies who get pertussis before the age of six months need hospitalisation, and one in 30 of those hospitalised die from pertussis infection.
- Severe coughing can temporarily stop the oxygen supply to the brain (hypoxia). In around two per 1000 children, pertussis leads to permanent brain damage, paralysis, deafness, or blindness.
- Secondary infections such as pneumonia and ear infections can also occur.
- The disease is usually milder in adolescents and adults.
- The pertussis vaccine (Tdap) is a subunit vaccine. Subunit vaccines are not live and are generally considered safe in pregnancy. "Live” vaccines are not recommended in pregnancy.
- The vaccine provides protection against whooping cough to 84 - 88 per cent of those who receive it.
For more information, visit the Whooping Cough web page.
ENDS
Date: 30 November 2012
Contact:Bethany PawsonMedia and Communications ConsultantWaikato District Health BoardMobile: 021 428 992 ext 24013
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