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Whooping Cough cases are on the increase.
Whooping Cough Vaccination
Whooping Cough cases are on the increase!!
According to the Pharmaceutical Journal data, published on 13 February 2025, there were 14,905 cases reported in 2024, compared with 856 cases in 2023. Thus is a massive 1600% increase!
King Street pharmacy can help with a Vaccine to avoid getting it and passing on to vulnerable friends or family.
What is Whooping Cough?
Whooping cough is a bacterial infection that affects the lungs and the breathing tubes. It is easily spread through coughing, sneezing, or close contact with an infected person. While it can affect people of all ages, it is particularly dangerous for babies under one year old. In these infants, whooping cough can lead to severe complications, including:
- Dehydration
- Breathing difficulties
- Pneumonia
- Seizures
In older children and adults, the symptoms are generally less severe but can still lead to discomfort or complications such as:
- Sore ribs due to intense coughing
- Hernia caused by persistent coughing
- Middle ear infections
For those who are pregnant or in close contact with babies, such as parents, carers, or grandparents, it’s essential to get vaccinated to help prevent the spread of whooping cough to vulnerable infants.
The whooping cough vaccine is advised for pregnant women ideally between 16 to 32 weeks of pregnancy. It is advised as antibodies are passed on to the unborn child, ensuring the infant is protected when born
Symptoms of Whooping Cough
Whooping cough symptoms begin similarly to a cold, with a sore throat or a runny nose. However, after a few days, the infection progresses into more severe coughing bouts that can last for several weeks or even months. Symptoms to watch out for include:
- Severe coughing spells that can last for several minutes, often worsening at night
- The “whoop” sound – a sharp gasp for air between coughs (young babies and some adults may not make the whooping sound)
- Breathing difficulties after coughing spells, which may cause the person to turn blue or grey (particularly in infants)
- Thick mucus that may be brought up, sometimes causing vomiting
- Redness in the face, particularly in adults after coughing fits
While the symptoms can be alarming, the cough itself can linger for weeks, and in some cases, months. That’s why early protection through vaccination is so important.
The Whooping Cough Vaccine
The whooping cough vaccine is typically administered as part of the routine 6-in-1 vaccination schedule for infants, starting at 8 weeks and continuing until the age of 3 years.
The 6-in-1 vaccine protects babies against 6 serious illnesses;
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HOWEVER!!
Who Else May Be Eligible and need the Vaccination?
Aside from the vaccine need for the babies & pregnant women listed above, other patients who may be considered for vaccination on a case-by-case basis could include:
- If you have not had the vaccine in the last 10 years and are in regular contact with pregnant women or young children.
- Those planning to undertake work in Australia or USA or potentially when residing in these countries over an extended period of time.
- Those requiring for Occupational Health purposes.
- Visiting a region where there has been a recent outbreak of whooping cough, and not previously had the vaccine in the last 10 years.