Whooping cough outbreaks in Australia have been causing great concern. This is caused by a 30% increase in the last 5 years.  Australian parents and carers are receiving free vaccines in order to protect new babies.

We have had many anxious grandparents who are visiting their new grandchildren, wanting to protect themselves and their grandchildren. Till now we have been unable to help, but recently we have been able to obtain the Repevax  vaccine.

This vaccine is not yet recommended for United Kingdom residents. Immunity following infection and clinical disease wanes with time, as does that provided by vaccination. There is no specific data available on the duration of protection following a childhood vaccination course.  A number of studies have shown that the protection through childhood vaccine wanes and that protection declines by 50% over a period of 6-12 years

Adults travelling from the U.K. to Australia are unlikely to be immune to pertussis unless they have received a pertussis-containing vaccination in recent years.  There have been large outbreaks of pertussis in Australia and USA over the last 3-5 years. Travellers have become concerned either because of risk of contracting pertussis themselves or because, if infected, they may put very young children who are too young to be vaccinated at risk (e.g. grandparents visiting new grandchildren).  In many countries reported cases of pertussis are increasing among infants and adolescents. Adults who are not immune to pertussis may transmit the disease to children. Children too young to be vaccinated against pertussis are particularly vulnerable and may be infected by their own parents.