Free whooping cough vaccines for ACT grandparent carers
Australian Capital Territory Health Minister, Katy Gallagher, has announced that parents of babies under 12 months of age and grandparents who have regular contact with them will be able to access a free pertussis (whooping cough) vaccine.
She said the move followed an increase in pertussis notifications in the ACT since December.
Parents and grandparents are being offered the vaccine as most babies catch whooping cough from close care givers.
The vaccine will be available for a limited time from general practitioners.