Free whooping cough vaccine would protect more Queenslanders
Whooping cough vaccinations should be made free for more Queenslanders to protect vulnerable newborns who can't be vaccinated. “This year alone, we have seen more than 5,200 confirmed cases of whooping cough ... when cost of living pressures are hitting Queenslanders, many cannot afford to pay for private vaccinations." - AMA Queensland President Dr Nick Yim
AMA Queensland has written to Health Minister Shannon Fentiman and Chief Health Officer Dr John Gerrard, calling for the whooping cough vaccination to be made free for people not currently covered under the National Immunisation Program (NIP).
“We are seeing waves of respiratory illnesses sweeping through the community. Besides influenza and COVID, we are also seeing a rise in whooping cough, RSV and mycoplasma pneumoniae,” AMA Queensland President Dr Nick Yim said.
“This year alone, we have seen more than 5,200 confirmed cases of whooping cough and thousands of people hospitalised with COVID, influenza and RSV in Queensland, putting further pressure on our already-strained hospitals and healthcare workforce.
“The Queensland Government has led the nation with free flu, RSV and Meningococcal B vaccines. Such investments in public health are vital to protect our most vulnerable patients and we welcome them wholeheartedly.
“At a time when cost of living pressures are hitting Queenslanders, many cannot afford to pay for private vaccinations. A private whooping cough vaccine costs at least $35.
“Currently, free whooping cough vaccines under the NIP are largely restricted to pregnant women, children aged two months to four years and adolescents aged 12-13 years.
“AMA Queensland is urging the government to consider broadening the program, particularly for those who have not had the immunisation, or a booster shot for the past 10 years.
“This would reduce emergency presentations and reduce the demand on the already limited stocks of antibiotics suitable for treating mycoplasma.
“Newborns cannot be vaccinated for whooping cough until they are two months old, so it is vital that family members and friends are vaccinated to protect these vulnerable babies.
“Anyone who has seen a baby struggling to breathe with whooping cough will never forget it.”
AMA Queensland’s letter to Minister Fentiman and Dr Gerrard is here.
Background
As of 7 July 2024, Queensland has this year recorded:
- 5,228 cases of whooping cough
- 41,937 cases of COVID
- 27,629 cases of influenza
- 26,822 cases of RSV
