Jabs urged for whooping cough

Northland parents are being urged to immunise their children against whooping cough as a national outbreak sweeps the country.

Last year, 82 cases of the disease were reported in Northland. Another 32 cases had been reported by February, Institute of Environmental Science and Research (ESR) figures show.

Primary Health Care Northland clinical director Kyle Eggleton said as at March 31, 89 per cent of 12-month-old children in the Northland area had received their primary course of immunisation at six weeks, three months and five months on time.

Northland had had a massive jump in infant immunisation rates in the past two years, Dr Eggleton said. However, there was a small number of parents who were reluctant to immunise their children.

"There's a variety of reasons that parents have about not immunising, some parents have fears that immunisation in general can cause harm to their child.

"Previously, concerns about the measles, mumps and rubella vaccine causing autism were discredited over a 'huge number of studies'," Dr Eggleton said.

"We need to tell people that vaccination is safe and that it prevents against a number of nasty illnesses."

Associate Health Minister Jo Goodhew said the current whooping cough outbreak underlined the importance of timely immunisation.

The highly-infectious disease is caused by bacteria which damages the breathing tubes and is spread by coughing and sneezing. Whooping cough is potentially fatal for babies and children.

Infected babies may not be able to feed or breathe properly and can suffer complications such as pneumonia and brain damage.

All babies and children are eligible for free immunisations against whooping cough at six weeks, three months and five months of age. Children also receive free boosters at 4 and 11 years.

Partners and other close family members should also consider being immunised, Mrs Goodhew said.

"In 2009, we also introduced free whooping cough vaccines for frontline health workers who are in close contact with newborns and young babies," she said.