The Royal Australian College of GPs (RACGP) is encouraging Northern Territory families to get vaccinated against pertussis, or "whooping cough".
It comes following reports that rates of the infectious disease, which can lead to hospitalisations and death for babies and children, are eight times higher than expected in the Territory in 2025.
RACGP NT Chair Dr Sam Heard urged families to get vaccinated.
"Vaccinations save lives, this must be taken seriously," he said.
"There have been 50 cases of whooping cough in babies and young children, with 20% of cases impacting babies aged under one. There are several potential reasons behind this year's increased figures, including the seasonality of pertussis which follows a 4–5-year cycle; however, a fall in immunisation coverage is also a key factor.
"At the end of the day, the most important thing you can do to help keep your family, and your community, as safe as possible is get vaccinated. Unfortunately, we're heading in the wrong direction in recent years on vaccination rates, and since the COVID-19 pandemic some people have become more casual about other infectious diseases such as whooping cough.
"It's so vital families stay up to date with vaccinations, and the vaccines are completely free of charge for babies and young children, adolescents aged 12–13 through school-based vaccination programs, and pregnant women. Immunity also wanes over time, so if it's been more than 10 years since your last vaccination, it's time for a booster.
"In Australia, pertussis-containing vaccines are available as combination vaccines, which means they protect you from other diseases such as tetanus. This vaccine is recommended for children at ages two, four, six and 18 months and four years of age, and adolescents between the 11–13 years range. Pertussis-containing vaccines are also recommended for adults aged 50 and 65, pregnant women during each pregnancy, as well as healthcare workers, early childhood educators and carers, and people in close contact with infants each decade.
"So, please, book your family members in for a vaccination, it can make all the difference."
~
