New adult vaccine reduces whooping cough risk to infants
10 April 2001
A new vaccine, just launched in Australia, can help adults protect themselves against whooping cough and, at the same time, reduce the risk of transmitting the potentially fatal disease to infants.
The vaccine is for people aged 10 years and older, and helps to protect against diphtheria, tetanus and pertussis, the medical term for whooping cough. Up until now, there has been no adult whooping cough vaccine available here.
The vaccine costs about $40-$50 per dose and is not currently reimbursed through the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme, although some private medical insurers may offer a rebate.
According to Professor Kevin Forsyth, from the Department of Paediatrics and Child Health at the Flinders Medical Centre in Adelaide, whooping cough is a significant, but often unrecognised problem in adolescents and adults. ‘Yet studies indicate that one in 4 children with whooping cough contracted the disease from an adult.’
According to official figures, there were 34,848 cases of whooping cough notified between 1993 and 1998. Of that number, 4804 were admitted to hospital for a median stay of 3 days. Nearly half the notifications were people aged 15 years or older. Between 1993 and 1997, there were 9 deaths from whooping cough—all were under 12 months of age.
Last Reviewed: 08 May 2002
