Hunter New England Health (HNE) reported 308 cases of whooping cough in the local health district so far this year, compared to 87 cases for the same period last year, 102 in 2013 and 299 in 2012.

HNE public health physician Dr David Durrheim said although the confirmed case numbers in the Peel Cluster (including Gunnedah) had not yet increased – eight cases calendar year to date – now was an excellent opportunity to ensure children and pregnant women were vaccinated.

“Many of the reported cases are in school-aged children who were immunised as infants, but whose protection from the vaccine has worn off,” Dr Durrheim said.

“Generally the vaccine provides three to five years of solid protection. Maintaining up-to-date immunisation is essential to protect against whooping cough.”

NSW Health now provide free whooping cough vaccinations to pregnant women during their third trimester.

“Evidence showed it lessened the risk of infants catching the potentially fatal infection through antibody protection passed on to them by their mothers,” Dr Durrheim said.

“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.”

Dr Durrheim said it was also vital parents ensured all their children were up to date with vaccinations to minimise the risk of circulating through the family.

“Adults in close contact with young babies should also discuss the benefits of the vaccine, which is available on prescription, with their GP,” he said.

Whooping cough is a serious respiratory infection that causes a long coughing illness. In babies, the infection can lead to pneumonia and occasionally brain damage, and can be life threatening.

“Whooping cough is easily spread to new babies, so it’s important to keep people with coughs away from them, in case they have whooping cough or other nasty infections,” Dr Durrheim said.