There have been several enquiries from the Monash community regarding concerns about a dramatic and sustained increase in whooping cough (pertussis) over the past couple of years.
Whooping cough is a highly contagious, respiratory infection caused by the organism Bordetella pertussis. The disease begins like a cold, and then the characteristic cough develops. Babies under six months old are most susceptible to severe complications and one in 200 babies who contract whooping cough will die from the disease. Vaccination remains the cornerstone of prevention and it is important to ensure your own children are fully vaccinated.
In regards to adult vaccination, the Department of Health provides free vaccinations for partners of pregnant women, parents of newborn babies, and those in regular contact with very young babies (eg. grandparents). This incentive has been a response to the marked increase in pertussis in Victoria over the last few years.