Queensland whooping cough cases are sky-rocketing as vaccination rate for pregnant women dips
www.abc.net.au
Data shows 37 babies under six months have been admitted to Queensland hospitals with whooping cough in 2024, compared to just 14 in all of 2023.

Queensland Health communicable diseases branch executive director Heidi Carroll said the disease could be life threatening in babies.

“They cough so much that they can’t catch their breath. They then can’t get enough oxygen into their systems,” Dr Carroll said.

Well, that sucks :(

  • DirigibleProteinEnglish
    2·
    1 day ago

    I was vaccinated as a child, but still caught whooping cough as an adult. Apparently for Gen X, they’re starting to find out that the vaccination wears off after a number of decades.

    • zero_gravitasEnglish
      4·
      1 day ago

      Pertussis-containing vaccines are recommended for children at 2, 4, 6 and 18 months, and 4 years of age, and adolescents at 11–13 years of age.

      Pertussis-containing vaccines are recommended for adults at ages 50 years and 65 years.

      Vaccination of pregnant women is recommended during each pregnancy, preferably between 20 and 32 weeks gestation.

      Vaccination is recommended every 10 years for healthcare workers, early childhood educators and carers, and people in close contact with infants.

      from: https://immunisationhandbook.health.gov.au/contents/vaccine-preventable-diseases/pertussis-whooping-cough