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Peter Lawlor MP Urges Parents to Get Vaccinated |
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| Posted by editor (editor) on Sep 24 2009 |
| 2009 >> |
Member for Southport has urged parents in the Southport community to take up the Bligh Government’s offer of a free whooping cough vaccine for parents of babies born on or after May 1 this year. Cases of pertussis, commonly known as whooping cough, are close to four times higher in Australia and Queensland in 2009 compared to the same period last year. “This rollout is about protecting the most vulnerable individuals - newborn babies,”Mr Lawlor said. “Whooping cough is a difficult disease to control, however through this Queensland Government funded initiative we hope to protect babies until they are fully vaccinated.” The Queensland Government announced the initiative in mid July, to run for an initial six months from 1 August. There will then be an assessment of the program’s effectiveness and whether the current nationwide outbreak has subsided. “Sadly in the past twelve months three babies have died in Australia after contracting the illness and in the year to date, more than 15,000 adults and children have been diagnosed,” Mr Lawlor said. “While adults who contract whooping cough may end up with a persistent cough, it can obstruct a baby’s breathing and may be life threatening. "No parent would want to make their baby sick but, in many cases, that’s exactly what’s happening because many new parents aren’t properly protected themselves. “That is why the Queensland Government has taken steps to ensure we are able to protect new parents,” Mr Lawlor said. Under the National Immunisation Program Schedule, the whooping cough vaccine is given to babies at two, four and six months of age. About 95 per cent of two-year-olds are fully vaccinated against whooping cough, but babies too young to be fully vaccinated and protected can catch it from their parents who haven’t been immunised or had booster vaccinations as adults. "Many adults don’t realise that the pertussis vaccinations they had as children do not protect them into adulthood,” Mr Lawlor said. "This free vaccine provided by the Queensland Government is a vital public health measure that will help protect newborns until they’re fully vaccinated.” New parents should see their normal immunisation provider to receive the vaccine - either their General Practitioner, local government, community health centre or Aboriginal health service. Adult pertussis vaccinations are available to the general community at a cost and anyone wishing to consider such a vaccination should consult with their General Practitioner.Last changed: [PUBLISHED_DATE] at 9:26 AM
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