17 November 2008
Whooping cough resurgence
The reported cases of whooping cough for October were three times the rate for the same month in 2007.
It's a life threatening disease for children and a long lasting illness in adults—the Chinese call it the 100 day cough.
The problem seems to be that too few adults are immunised or had a booster shot when they left school.
New research is looking at immunising babies soon after birth, and at a 'whole of life' immunisation register so people can keep track of their vaccinations.
Paediatrician Robert Booy had whooping cough as two-month-old baby, now he's the co-director of the National Centre for Immunisation Research and Surveillance.
Guests
Professor Robert Booy
Co-director, National Centre for Immunisation Research and Surveillance (NCIRS)
Further Information
Presenter
Richard Aedy
Story Researcher and Producer
Amanda Armstrong
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