More than flu: whooping cough is out there too

Author: Felicia Heah (Health Services Pharmacist)

Flu season is well and truly here, but influenza isn’t the only cough doing the rounds. Whooping cough is making an unwelcome comeback in Australia. Whooping cough cases have surged recently in Australia, 2024 recorded more than 57,000 notifications and 2025 still had just over 25,000.

While many people think of it as an old-fashioned illness, whooping cough is very much a here and now problem, especially for babies, older adults and anyone who’s booster is a distant memory (you may not even realise that’s you).

If you’re already planning your flu vaccine, it’s a good time to check whether you’re also due for a whooping cough booster, often, both can be given in the same visit.

What is whooping cough?

Whooping cough, clinically referred as Pertussis, is a highly contagious bacterial infection of the airways. It starts off looking like a common cold, think runny nose, sneezing and a mild cough, before turning into severe, exhausting coughing bouts that can last for weeks resulting in vomiting in some cases. In babies it can look different, babies may not cough at all and instead can have pauses in breathing, which is why this infection is so dangerous for them.

Why it matters (and not just for you)

Whooping cough is not simply a nuisance cough; it can cause serious complications such as pneumonia, lung collapse, seizures and, in severe cases, death, especially in babies under 6 months. The routine childhood schedule starts from 6 weeks of age, so there’s a window early in life when newborns are too young to have their own protection.

That’s why getting vaccinated does more than protect you, it helps shield vulnerable groups like newborn babies who cannot yet complete their own vaccine course and rely on the immunity of those around them. During pregnancy, a whooping cough vaccine boosts antibodies that pass through the placenta to the baby, reducing the risk of infection and serious illness after birth.

Who’s at risk?

Technically, anyone with lungs and a social life is on the list, as whooping cough spreads easily through coughing, sneezing, talking and close contact. People are usually infectious from the time symptoms start and can remain contagious for weeks if untreated, which gives the infection plenty of chances to move through households, schools and workplaces.

Some groups are at much higher risk of severe illness, including:

• Babies under 6 months, who are the most likely to need hospital care and are too young to be fully vaccinated.
• People who are not fully vaccinated or whose immunity has waned over time.
• Older adults, especially those over 65, and adults with underlying health conditions.

Prevention and how to protect yourself and loved ones

Vaccination is the most effective way to reduce the risk of serious disease and help protect vulnerable people around you.

The whooping cough vaccine is recommended for:

• Routine vaccination in infants, children and adolescents

• Routine booster vaccination in adults, including those in special risk groups or in contact with a special risk group, such as:
  • Women who are pregnant or breastfeeding
  • Healthcare workers
  • Early childhood educators and carers
  • People in close contact with infants
• Adults who want to reduce their likelihood of becoming ill from whooping cough and are due for a booster

The convenient bit:

The flu vaccine, recommended each year for everyone aged 6 months and over, can usually be given at the same visit as other vaccines, including the whooping cough vaccine.

During pregnancy, the two can also be given together.

So, if you’re already rolling up your sleeve for a flu jab, it’s a good time to check whether your whooping cough protection is up to date. Your WholeLife pharmacist can review your vaccination history and let you know if a booster may be due.

Vaccination is the best way to prevent whooping cough and its complications.

On top of vaccination, everyday prevention habits still matter:

• Stay home and seek advice if you have a persistent cough, especially if you have been around known cases
• Practice good hand and respiratory hygiene, think tissues, elbows and handwashing.
• Avoid close contact with young babies and pregnant people if you are unwell.

A simple step that helps protect everyone

Now that we are in the colder months, it’s worth remembering that coughs aren’t always “just a cold”, and sometimes not just a flu either.

Keeping your vaccinations up to date is one of the simplest ways to protect yourself and the people around you. Next time you visit your local Wholelife Pharmacy & Healthfoods for your flu vaccination, consider asking whether a whooping cough booster may also be appropriate for you.

It’s a convenient way to get both done in one visit, saving you a second trip and a second sore arm. And with our experienced pharmacist immunisers, you may not even notice the first one.

Vaccines are administered by a qualified pharmacist or an authorised immuniser. Subject to vaccine availability and pharmacist clinical assessment. Charges may apply. Some patient groups may be eligible for free vaccination under the National Immunisation Program (NIP) or state/territory funded programs.

References:

1. https://immunisationhandbook.health.gov.au/contents/vaccine-preventable-diseases/influenza-flu
2. https://immunisationhandbook.health.gov.au/contents/vaccine-preventable-diseases/pertussis-whooping-cough
3. https://www.cdc.gov.au/diseases/whooping-cough-pertussis
4. https://immunisationcoalition.org.au/whooping-cough-statistics/
5. https://immunisationcoalition.org.au/healthcare-professionals/pertussis-guide/