Immunisation Whooping Cough (Pertussis)

Bacteria Pertussis is a serious infection caused by bacteria which damage the breathing tubes. It occurs mainly in young children and is most serious in children under one year of age. Pertussis is a common disease in New Zealand. There are outbreaks of the disease every three to five years. Over 5000 cases were reported in New Zealand between 2004 and August 2005. In 2004, 159 children needed hospital care, and one child died. Vaccine This disease is covered on the New Zealand Immunisation Schedule. The vaccines used are INFANRIX®- hexa, INFANRIX-IPVTM and BoostrixTM. How it is spread The disease is spread by coughing. Symptoms and illness Pertussis begins with a runny nose and temperature followed by a cough. The coughing spells are so strong that it is hard for the child to breathe. Children often gasp for air and some make a ‘whooping’ sound. They may also vomit after coughing. Most children are well between the coughing spells. Severe risks associated with pertussis The cough may last up to three months. Pertussis can lead to pneumonia. Pertussis can lead to encephalopathy (brain damage), convulsions and death. The risk of encephalopathy ranges from about one in 100 to one in 1000. Severe risks associated with the vaccine In some overseas trials of acellular pertussis between 0.7 and 2.6 recipients in 10,000 had fits or ‘shock-collapse’ – neither of which cause long term problems. These reactions have not happened in overseas trials of the vaccine now being used in New Zealand. There is no association between the vaccine and sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS). Anaphylaxis is very rare. Further information about Pertussis Pertussis and measles notifications to June 2009 (PDF, 22 KB) Back to the Diseases and Vaccines page

Back to the Diseases and Vaccines page Download Whooping cough (pertussis) Information for parents and caregivers (PDF, 112 KB) 22 September: Beehive media release: Free whooping cough immunisation for health frontline

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