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Whooping cough (pertussis) is a highly infectious disease that is spread by coughing and sneezing. It’s caused by bacteria which damage the breathing tubes.
Whooping cough can be very serious for babies and children – especially those under one year old. If babies catch whooping cough, they:
- may not be able to feed or breathe properly.
- may become so ill they need to go to hospital.
- could end up with serious complications such as pneumonia and brain damage.
The best way to protect your baby from whooping cough is to take them for their free immunisations when they’re six weeks, three months and five months old.
When it’s infectious
The disease is most infectious in the first couple of weeks, when symptoms are like a normal cold. Whooping cough continues to be infectious three to four weeks after the cough starts.
Many babies catch whooping cough from their older siblings or parents – often before they’re old enough to be vaccinated.
How common is whooping cough?
Whooping cough is common in New Zealand. We have an outbreak of the disease every three to five years. The most recent outbreak began in August 2011 and is still ongoing.
- Since the outbreak began, more than 8,800 cases* of whooping cough have been reported.
During the epidemic in 2004–2005, more than 5000 cases were reported. In 2004, 159 children were hospitalised, and one child died.
*as at April 2013
Whooping cough begins with cold-like symptoms such as:
- a runny nose
- a slight fever
- a mild cough.
The cough becomes worse and can make you or your child vomit.
Babies and children often gasp for air and some make a ‘whooping’ sound during coughing attacks. Most children can seem well between the coughing spells.
Adults and older children don’t normally make the ‘whoop’ sound, but can still get very sick.
The cough may last up to three months.
Why whooping cough is serious
- It can lead to pneumonia.
- It can lead to brain damage, convulsions and death. The risk of brain damage ranges from about 1 in 100 to 1 in 1000.
If you’ve got whooping cough, it’s important to stay away from others – especially babies, young children and pregnant women.
If you think you or a family member may have whooping cough, see your doctor as soon as possible.
Your doctor can test to see whether it is whooping cough.
- If it is whooping cough, you may be given antibiotics.
- Your doctor will also tell you how to care for yourself or your child at home while you’re recovering.
Antibiotics can reduce how long you’re infectious for, but unless they’re given early, they may not reduce your symptoms.
Help stop the spread of whooping cough
- Make sure all your children are up to date with their immunisations.
- Keep your baby away from anyone with a cough.
- If you have a cough yourself, stay away from babies.
- If you’ve got a cough that won’t go away, see your doctor.
All babies in New Zealand can be immunised against whooping cough as part of their free childhood immunisations.
It’s important to protect babies from whooping cough by getting them immunised on time. They’re not protected until they’ve had all three doses – at six weeks, three months and five months old.
Booster doses are given to children when they’re four and 11 years old.
What if my child is behind with their vaccinations?
If your baby or child hasn’t been immunised, talk to your GP or practice nurse. They can arrange a time for your child to be immunised. It’s never too late to catch up. Whooping cough vaccine is free for all children under 16.
Who else is the vaccine recommended for?
From 1 January 2013, pregnant women are able to receive a whooping cough booster vaccination for free.
Other adults can receive booster vaccinations for a cost. Immunisation is recommended if:
- your work involves regular contact with infants
- you live with or care for infants under 12 months of age – even if the baby has been fully immunised.
Boosters should also be considered for other people who are vulnerable to whooping cough and at high risk of severe illness or complications (eg, those with chronic respiratory conditions, congenital heart disease or immunodeficiency).
This disease is covered on the New Zealand Immunisation Schedule. The vaccines used are INFANRIX®- hexa, INFANRIX-IPV™ and Boostrix™.
How effective is the vaccine?
Around 84 percent of babies are protected once they’ve completed three doses of vaccine (at six weeks, and three and five months of age).
Protection wanes over time. People can get whooping cough some years later, even if they’ve been immunised or have had it before. That’s why it’s important for four and 11-year-olds to have booster immunisations.
Making a decision about immunisation
Risks associated with whooping cough
- The cough may last up to three months.
- It can lead to pneumonia.
- It can lead to brain damage, convulsions and death. The risk of brain damage ranges from about one in 100 to one in 1000.
Risks associated with the vaccine
- In some overseas trials of acellular pertussis, between 0.7 and 2.6 recipients in 10,000 had fits or ‘shock-collapse’ – neither of which cause long-term problems. These reactions have not happened in overseas trials of the vaccine now being used in New Zealand.
- There is no association between the vaccine and sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS).
- Anaphylaxis is very rare.
Immunisation is your choice. If you have questions, talk to your doctor or practice nurse or call the Immunisation Advisory Centre free helpline 0800 IMMUNE (0800 466 863).
In this section
Don't Delay - Immunise Now for Whooping Cough (poster)
Available on HealthEd
Don't Delay - Immunise Now for Whooping Cough (brochure)
Available of HealthEd
Whooping cough – a baby’s struggle
Parents share their experiences of Whooping Cough
Public Health Surveillance
Access to selected New Zealand public health surveillance data and information.
- Pertussis report – find the latest information on whooping cough cases in New Zealand.
Immunisation Advisory Centre
Independent advice for parents on the immunisations available in New Zealand.
Developed by the Starship Foundation and the Paediatric Society of New Zealand.