Health officials in New Zealand have declared a whooping cough epidemic, warning that infants are particularly vulnerable to the potentially fatal infection.
Dr. Jack, a leading health official, emphasized the importance of vaccination for pregnant women, saying, “The best protection for infants is for their mother to be vaccinated during pregnancy. The antenatal vaccination for pertussis is safe, free, and most effective when administered from 16 weeks of pregnancy. It should be done during each pregnancy to protect each baby.”
To safeguard children, the vaccination schedule includes doses at six weeks, three months, and five months, with booster shots at age four and again at age 11 (school year 7). Adults are also eligible for free booster doses at age 45 (if they haven’t had four prior tetanus doses) and at age 65.
Whooping cough, also known as pertussis, is a highly contagious respiratory infection that can cause severe breathing difficulties and prolonged coughing fits, earning it the nickname “the 100-day cough.”
Symptoms and Risks
The infection is most contagious in its early stages, which typically begin about a week after exposure. Initial symptoms resemble a common cold and may include:
- A blocked or runny nose
- Sneezing
- Mild fever
- A persistent cough
After a week, more severe symptoms often develop, including:
- Uncontrollable coughing fits that last several minutes
- Coughing that leads to vomiting
- Thick mucus that may cause choking or vomiting
Infants, in particular, are at risk of life-threatening complications. During coughing spells, young babies may gasp for air, temporarily stop breathing, or turn blue.
Health authorities urge anyone eligible to take advantage of free vaccinations to help curb the spread of the disease and protect vulnerable populations.