ESTABLISHED 2015
Who Should Be Vaccinated?
Infants:
The dTpa (diphtheria-tetanus-acellular pertussis) vaccine is available to all children at the ages of two, four, and six months with a follow up at 4 years.
Adolescents:
An adolescent booster dose is available via a school-based vaccination program between the ages of 12 to 17.
Adults:
Furthermore, the vaccine is available, and recommended for, adults who wish to prevent infection and, in particular, for those who are coming into contact with infants or those susceptible to the disease. (It is important to note that the cost of adult vaccination is not covered by the NIP.)
Pregnant Women:
The dTpa vaccine is highly recommended for women during pre-pregnancy planning or immediately following delivery of the infant. The vaccine can also be given to women during the final trimester of pregnancy.
Health and Child Care workers:
It is recommended that all Healthcare and Childcare workers receive the vaccine, and a booster dose every 10 years.
65+ years:
Adults over the age of 65 should receive the dTpa vaccine if they have not had one in the previous 10 years.
Vaccination
What Is The Vaccine?
The vaccine consists of tiny proteins which have been purified from Bordetella pertussis. The body responds to the foreign material with an immune reaction to produce specific antibodies against the bacterium.
Vaccine safety
• The Whooping Cough vaccine is “acellular”, consisting of purified proteins in comparison to old vaccines which used “whole-cell” material (dead Whooping Cough cells).
• This modern vaccine causes fewer side effects and are much safer.
• 1/5 will experience mild fever.
• 1/10 experience minor local reactions around the injection site.
Whilst these side-effects are not desirable, the other option, contracting the potentially deadly Whooping Cough, is an unnecessary risk that can lead to tragic outcomes.
How Effective Is The Vaccine?
Unfortunately, the Vaccine is only effective in preventing Whooping Cough 85% (severe symptoms) and 75% (mild) of the time.
Herd Immunity is when the majority of a community is immune to a disease, and, therefore, provides some protection by preventing the spread of disease. Given that the vaccine is not 100% effective, Herd Immunity is crucial in order to obtain control over the spread of Whooping Cough.