What Parents Need To Know About Whooping Cough (Pertussis)

And what doctors may not tell them....

We hear lots about vaccination for whooping cough and  how it's the only way to protect babies.  What if this wasn't true?  What if there was something else that could significantly impact on mortality and morbidity from pertussis as well?  You'd expect to know?  You'd expect your doctor to know and share it up there with all the other disease prevention info wouldn't you?

This entry is coming to you in a number of forms depending on whether you prefer to read or watch, want heaps of info, or prefer a quicker less in-depth lowdown.

It's actually an piece I started to write last year, but I was waiting for the results of several studies to be published, including one from the journal of vaccinations.  A quick tickle and a sprinkle (ok a lot) of help from a few Xmas pixies, and it's all ready to give to you in time for the festive season.

Full Animated Presentation: Approx 23 mins

This covers the pros and problems with the current pertussis vaccination and relying solely on herd immunity for very young babies.  Disease mutation, parapertussis and why moving forward it's critical we look beyond vaccinations to protect infants.  It explores the current research as to what else is effective before infants are old enough to be vaccinated, maternal vaccination, antibodies and outcome  - and questions why this information isn't being shared with parents as researchers recommend.

Full Standard Text Blog Piece:

As above but as article text to read.

Short Animated Presentation:  Approx 13 mins

This covers why we can't rely on vaccination alone and what else we can do to protect infants.  It explores the current research as to what else is effective before infants are old enough to be vaccinated, maternal vaccination, antibodies and outcome - and questions why this information isn't being shared with parents as researchers recommend.

Short Standard Text Blog Piece:

As above but as article text to read.