Whooping Cough Day is on 8 November and aims to raise awareness of the importance of immunisation, including booster doses throughout life.

This is an important reminder of the ongoing threat of whooping cough (pertussis) and the role immunisation plays in protecting individuals, families and communities.

Whooping cough is a highly infectious bacterial disease that affects the airways and can cause severe, uncontrollable coughing. While people of all ages can become infected, babies and young children are at greatest risk of serious complications, including pneumonia, breathing difficulties and, in some cases, death.

Immunisation remains the best protection against whooping cough, however, immunity wanes over time. Please review the immunisation status of all your patients, regardless of reason for visit, and offer the vaccine at every appropriate opportunity, particularly during pregnancy and when in close contact with young infants.

Resources are available from the Immunisation Foundation of Australia’s website page https://www.ifa.org.au/whoopingcoughday/#poster