Cases of whooping cough are down 40 per cent in Victoria but not in the south-west, according to council statistics.
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A reported 12 cases of whooping cough in Warrnambool last year has increased to 13 this year and Warrnambool City Council immunisation coordinator Alison Elliott have urged parents to keep on top of vaccinations.
“They’re the best protection against diseases like whooping cough,” she said. “It’s really important for parents to not become complacent.”
These south-west statistics contradict a statement issued by Health Minister Jill Hennessy which reported 1201 less cases across Victoria this year.
The state government said cases “skyrocketed” after the national whooping cough vaccination program for parents was axed, with doctors reporting an increase of cases by almost 60 per cent in 2014.
Since the programs return to Victoria in June 2015, more than 152,700 whooping cough vaccinations have been provided, preventing the sickness and potential mortality in young children.
“Vaccinations save lives,” Ms Hennessy said. “We are doing everything we can to protect babies from this deadly disease.”