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Newborn babies could get whooping cough vaccination | Newborn babies could get whooping cough vaccination |
(about 5 hours later) | |
Consideration is being given to vaccinating newborn babies against whooping cough because of this year's dramatic increase in cases. | Consideration is being given to vaccinating newborn babies against whooping cough because of this year's dramatic increase in cases. |
It is one option being looked at by the Department of Health's joint committee on vaccination and immunisation. | It is one option being looked at by the Department of Health's joint committee on vaccination and immunisation. |
The number of cases in England and Wales this year is already three times higher than for the whole of 2011. | The number of cases in England and Wales this year is already three times higher than for the whole of 2011. |
The Department of Health said any decision to expand the vaccination programme would not be taken lightly. | The Department of Health said any decision to expand the vaccination programme would not be taken lightly. |
Babies are currently offered a whooping cough vaccine at two, three and four months of age. | Babies are currently offered a whooping cough vaccine at two, three and four months of age. |
The Health Protection Agency (HPA) said on Friday that it was very concerned about the surge and warned parents to be on the look-out for symptoms of whooping cough and to ensure their children were vaccinated on time. | The Health Protection Agency (HPA) said on Friday that it was very concerned about the surge and warned parents to be on the look-out for symptoms of whooping cough and to ensure their children were vaccinated on time. |
Booster doses | Booster doses |
The condition is characterised by severe coughing, followed by a gasp or "whoop". | The condition is characterised by severe coughing, followed by a gasp or "whoop". |
There have been 235 cases this year among babies aged under three months, which is double the number recorded in the last peak in 2008. | There have been 235 cases this year among babies aged under three months, which is double the number recorded in the last peak in 2008. |
Whooping cough, also known as pertussis, is more dangerous for young babies because they do not get the benefits from vaccination until about four months. | Whooping cough, also known as pertussis, is more dangerous for young babies because they do not get the benefits from vaccination until about four months. |
The Department of Health's committee is considering whether to vaccinate more people to help tackle the outbreak. | The Department of Health's committee is considering whether to vaccinate more people to help tackle the outbreak. |
This could mean booster doses for teenagers, and jabs for pregnant women and newborn babies and their families. | This could mean booster doses for teenagers, and jabs for pregnant women and newborn babies and their families. |
The HPA said there had been 1,047 whooping cough cases reported in July, bringing the total this year to 3,513. Surges are seen every three to four years. | The HPA said there had been 1,047 whooping cough cases reported in July, bringing the total this year to 3,513. Surges are seen every three to four years. |
A Department of Health spokesman said: "We continue to see high uptake of vaccination against whooping cough and are investigating the recent increase in cases. This highlights the importance of vaccination against this and other illnesses. | A Department of Health spokesman said: "We continue to see high uptake of vaccination against whooping cough and are investigating the recent increase in cases. This highlights the importance of vaccination against this and other illnesses. |
"The joint committee on vaccination and immunisation is looking at whether more people need to be vaccinated. Careful consideration is always needed around expanding any programme. | "The joint committee on vaccination and immunisation is looking at whether more people need to be vaccinated. Careful consideration is always needed around expanding any programme. |
"Parents should make sure their children are up to date with all vaccinations, and should speak to their GP if they need advice." | "Parents should make sure their children are up to date with all vaccinations, and should speak to their GP if they need advice." |