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Article Extra whooping cough jab for toddlers

By Tracy Hardy
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10 Comments

The number of whooping cough cases in young children has prompted the introduction of a new booster jab.

The NSW Vaccine Centre has begun sending the vaccine to doctors, and all children born after October 1, 2014, will be required to have it from April this year, on top of jabs at two, four and six months.

There have been more than 2,300 cases of the disease so far this year, which is more than double compared to the same period last year.

The extra vaccination will be added to the national immunisation schedule for toddlers who are 18-months-old.

“This is due to waning immunity following primary immunisation and an increase in the number of infections in the two to nine age group in recent years.

Introduction of the booster dose at 18 months on the NIP is intended to lead to a reduction in cases of whooping cough in the 18 month to four year old age group.”

“Parents are advised to ring the (medical) practice in advance to ensure that the vaccines have arrived,” NSW Health said.

It will be for babies born from October 2014.

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Comments

  • I’m happy it’s available and would like to know the cost for my child (born 6 months before Oct 2014), and availability from pharmacy or doctor or medical Centre nurse? That would be useful to add to the article!!!

    Reply

  • I think it stinks that children born before Oct 2014, like my daughter who was born in April 2014 don’t get the booster for free. If we want it we have to pay for it. It should be available free of charge for all children in that age bracket.

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  • Surely children older than that are at risk too. What about those with chronic illnesses who have weaker immunity or those who suffer illness if they get a raised temperatures.

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  • So worth the protection.

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  • So what should I do in regards to my little man born Nov 13. Is there some sort of booster for them?

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  • So this is NSW only? This is a terrible disease. My husband and two of our children have had it. Thankfully their immunisation gave them some protection and it wasn’t as bad as it could have been.

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  • Good idea!

    Reply

  • Looks like my bubs will be getting this extra injection as he was born in October 2014. Lets hope this will helps in reducing the number of whooping cough cases in that age group.

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  • Lke it

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