What is Whooping Cough?
Whooping cough (pertussis) is a serious, contagious, respiratory infection caused by the bacterium Bordetella pertussis.
The disease begins like a cold and then the characteristic cough develops. This cough may last up to three months, even after antibiotic treatment is completed and the person is no longer infectious.
Whooping cough is particularly dangerous for babies less than six months of age. They are affected more seriously by the disease than older children or adults, and are more likely to develop complications.1
If you have COVID-19 symptoms of fever, cough, sore throat or shortness of breath you must get tested and follow the recommendations of your health professional before obtaining your whooping cough vaccine.
Bendigo UFS Pharmacies are offering the whooping cough vaccination to Members for $69.22 and non-Members for $77.95. Payment is required at the time the vaccine is administered.
Walk-in appointments are currently available at all Bendigo UFS Pharmacies stores or pre bookings are available. Please note a walk-in appointment is not guarantee
About the Whooping Cough Vaccination at Bendigo UFS Pharmacies
Who can receive the Whooping Cough vaccine?
Bendigo UFS Pharmacies can only vaccinate patients from 12 years of age for the Whooping Cough vaccination.
What is the National Immunisation Program and does Bendigo UFS Pharmacies provide the Whooping Cough vaccination?
The National Immunisation Program (NIP) was set up by the Commonwealth and State and Territory governments in 1997. The program aims to increase national immunisation coverage to reduce the number of cases of diseases that are preventable by vaccination in Australia. Bendigo UFS Pharmacies participates in the NIPVIP program and the whooping cough combination vaccine is free under the National Immunisation Program for:
- children aged 2 months, 4 months, 6 months, 18 months and 4 years
- adolescents aged 12-13 years through school-based vaccination programs
- pregnant women (ideally between 20-32 weeks)
Where can I learn more about Whooping Cough?
We recommend visiting www.betterhealth.com.au as a great information source. To locate more information regarding Whooping Cough directly visit here.
References:
1.https://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/health/ConditionsAndTreatments/whooping-cough
Last updated August 29 2024
