HEALTH experts are encouraging new parents and grandparents to take advantage of a free whooping cough vaccine as Orange experiences a spike in the number of reported cases.
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Orange recorded 70 cases of whooping cough last year, up from the usual 20 cases that are reported annually.
Infection prevention and control clinical nurse specialist Anetta Westgeest said free whooping cough vaccinations were available until June.
“We are certainly encouraging more eligible people to attend the clinic and receive a quick vaccination, which will help to minimise the spread of whooping cough,” she said.
Whooping cough can affect people of all ages and is life threatening in babies.
In babies it can lead to apnoea (pauses in normal breathing), pneumonia, feeding problems and weight loss, seizures, brain damage and even death.
Current health guidelines recommend a whooping cough booster as an adult, particularly those in contact with young children.
Infection Prevention and Control clinical nurse specialist Sue Lovell-Smith says the vaccine only takes a few minutes, and encourages people to get if for free while it is still available.
“Whooping cough is highly contagious and the best preventative measure is the Boostrix vaccination,” she said.
The specialist clinic at Orange Health Service offers free whooping cough vaccinations every Thursday from 4pm to 5pm.
Anyone interested in receiving the vaccination is encouraged to contact the clinic on 6369 3841.
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