Health officials are urging families in Western Australia’s Kimberley region to ensure children are vaccinated against whooping cough on schedule, as cases of the potentially deadly disease are on track to surpass last year’s spike.
Whooping cough, or pertussis, is a highly contagious bacterial infection that affects the respiratory system and can be life-threatening, particularly for newborns and young children. It spreads through airborne droplets when an infected person coughs or sneezes.
The Kimberley had no reported cases between 2021 and 2023, but that changed dramatically in 2023 with 105 cases. So far this year, 63 cases have already been confirmed—making it the second-highest region in WA after Perth.
Expected resurgence
Dr Pippa May from the WA Country Health Service said while interpreting post-COVID data can be challenging, the rising numbers are troubling.
“We anticipated a resurgence around 2024 to 2025, and now we’re seeing it,” she said. “Whooping cough tends to return in cycles, especially as immunity from natural infection and vaccinations wanes.”
The disease can lead to hospitalisation in children and, in severe cases, death. Vaccines are available for free under the National Immunisation Program at several key stages:
- 2, 4, 6, 18 months, and 4 years of age
- 12 to 13 years via school programs
- Pregnant women (ideally between 20 to 32 weeks of each pregnancy)
Dr May highlighted that nearly 80% of whooping cough-related deaths occur in babies under three months old, underlining the importance of herd immunity and maternal vaccination.
“It spreads easily in families, schools, and childcare centres,” she said. “That’s why it’s critical for pregnant individuals to be vaccinated during each pregnancy to protect their newborns.”
Why the Kimberley is more affected
While there isn’t a single cause behind the region’s elevated case numbers, several factors may be contributing. These include a younger demographic, post-pandemic increases in testing, and disparities in vaccine coverage among Indigenous communities.
“Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people often experience a higher burden of vaccine-preventable diseases,” Dr May said. “We work closely with local clinics and Aboriginal medical services to ensure timely vaccinations.”
However, timeliness remains an issue. According to the Australian Immunisation Register, Country WA has the second-lowest on-time vaccination rates for two-year-olds nationwide.
Public health concerns
Dr Jaya Dantas, a public health expert from Curtin University, said ensuring vaccinations are free and accessible is essential—especially for lower-income families.
“If people have to pay, some will hesitate,” she said. “We need to make sure the system is barrier-free.”
She also warned that high case numbers before winter are cause for serious concern and partly blamed vaccine misinformation for low uptake.
“There’s a lot of information showing vaccines are effective, but misinformation creates confusion and hesitancy,” she said.
Health authorities continue to stress the importance of not just getting vaccinated, but doing so on time, to prevent further spread and protect the most vulnerable.
