We are urging pregnant women to get the pertussis vaccine to help protect their newborn babies after a significant rise in cases of whooping cough. Young babies are at greatest risk of developing more serious disease, so it is very important that women take the offer of pertussis vaccine during each pregnancy so that their baby is protected against whooping cough after they are born.
Women can have the vaccine from 16 weeks of pregnancy and ideally between 20 and 32 weeks of pregnancy, but the vaccine can be beneficial even if given later then 32 weeks. Whooping cough vaccines are now available through HSC Trust clinics and at GP practices, speak to your midwife to find out more. Please see details of clinics below which will run alongside the Trust antenatal clinics.
You can book your appointment here
| DATE | TIME | LOCATION |
|---|---|---|
| Wednesday 21st August | 9.30am - 12.30pm | Antenatal Room, Craigavon Area Hospital |
| Thursday 22nd August | 9.30am - 5pm | Parentcraft Room, Daisy Hill Hospital, Newry |
| Friday 23rd August | 9.30am - 12.30pm | Outpatients Department, Armagh Community Hospital |
| Wednesday 28th August | 1.30pm - 5pm | Outpatients Department, South Tyrone Hospital |
| Thursday 29th August | 9.30am - 5pm | Parentcraft Room, Daisy Hill Hospital, Newry |
| Friday 30th August | 9.30am - 12.30pm | Outpatients Department, Armagh Community Hospital |
The whooping cough vaccine is also given as part of the childhood vaccination programme to children at 8, 12 and 16 weeks of age and at aged 3 years 4 months. If you are unsure if your child is up to date with vaccinations, the easiest way to check is to look at your child’s red book or speak to your health visitor or GP practice.
Parents should be alert to the signs and symptoms of whooping cough, which include severe coughing fits accompanied by the characteristic ‘whoop’ sound in young children, and by a prolonged cough in older children or adults. It is also advisable to keep babies away from anyone showing the signs or symptoms of whooping cough.
Whooping cough can spread very easily. It is best to call your GP practice or GP Out of Hours service before you go in person. This will help to reduce it spreading to others. In an emergency, dial 999.
For further information on whooping cough and vaccinations visit www.pha.site/whooping-cough and www.nidirect.gov.uk/conditions/whooping-cough