PREGNANT women, parents, and caregivers are being urged to ensure they are vaccinated against whooping cough (pertussis), amid a concerning surge in cases across the country.

Australia is currently experiencing its most significant and long-lasting outbreak in decades, with more than 57,000 cases reported in 2024 alone – the highest annual total since 1991 – and ongoing high rates.

Some areas, including Queensland and Western Australia’s Kimberley region, are seeing particularly high rates of infection, while in South Australia, more than 1,000 cases were recorded in early 2025 – 11 times higher than the same period last year.

Australian Medical Association President Dr Danielle McMullen described the resurgence of whooping cough cases as “extremely concerning”, especially in light of below-target vaccination rates and growing vaccine hesitancy.

“Each year, thousands of lives are lost to respiratory diseases like whooping cough, and we all have a role to play in preventing their spread,” Dr McMullen said.

“Vaccination remains our most powerful defence.”

Pregnant woman should receive a dose of a pertussis-containing vaccine during each pregnancy to protect their newborn from whooping cough, as antibodies are passed to the unborn baby, protecting them in their first days and weeks of life.

Meanwhile, nearly 140,000 Australian babies were protected against severe respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) this winter, helping reduce the number of infants admitted to hospitals with life-threatening complications of the disease by 30%, according to the Immunisation Foundation of Australia.

“Every parent who embraced RSV protection for their baby should be congratulated,” said the Foundation’s Catherine Hughes. KB

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