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Health New Zealand | Te Whatu Ora has declared a whooping cough epidemic after a steady rise in cases since September.
At Carterton Medical Centre, we're here to help you stay safe. Here's what you need to know:
What's Whooping Cough?
Whooping cough—also known as pertussis—is a highly contagious respiratory infection that causes intense coughing and trouble breathing.
Who's Most at Risk?
Whooping cough is most dangerous for babies under one, with about half of infected infants needing hospital care. Severe coughing can cause secondary infections like pneumonia and ear infections and permanent complications such as brain damage, paralysis, deafness, or blindness.
How Can You Protect Your Family?
The best way for mothers to protect their babies is by getting vaccinated during pregnancy. Vaccination prompts the body to produce protective antibodies, which pass through the placenta and shield newborns from severe whooping cough until they can receive their vaccines at 6 weeks, 3 months, and 5 months.
Close family members—like fathers and grandparents—should also get a booster vaccine to reduce the risk of spreading whooping cough.
How to Book Your Vaccine
The whooping cough vaccine is FREE for all pregnant women from 16 weeks and all children under 18 years. Adults can also get a FREE booster when they reach 45 and 65.
Please call us on (06) 379 8105 to book your appointment. Our friendly reception team will happily schedule a time that works for you.
Let's work together to keep our community safe from this severe disease!