Parents Share Tragic Stories Of Losing Their Babies To Whooping Cough In New Vaccination Campaign

A new national campaign to help raise immunisation rates in the country has seen heartbroken parents sharing tragic stories of losing their babies to whooping cough.

Launched on Saturday, the campaign will target parents through child care services and online social media channels such as Facebook.

The $5.5 million campaign called ‘Get the Facts about Immunisation’, features videos and information brochures about diseases which can be shielded through vaccination.

Toni McCaffery and husband, Dave, have fought for the immunisation cause for a long time now after their daughter, Dana, died from whooping cough in 2009.

“Parents need to understand how dangerous these diseases are and it takes all of us to vaccinate so that we can protect each other,” Toni said. “While vaccination rates are 93 per cent, it’s not high enough, it needs to be 95 per cent to get herd immunity but there are many areas where vaccination rates are low and we can never be complacent.”

Greg and Catherine Hughes, whose son Riley died from whooping cough in 2015, have also fought hard to counter anti-vaccine sentiment, often becoming the target of abuse as a result. “It’s always hard talking about our story, it was an emotionally difficult thing to do but one that is hopefully worthwhile. If I had received information about the pregnancy booster for whooping cough, Riley would still be here,” Catherine said.

Immunologist and 2006 Australian of the Year, Professor Ian Frazer explained how important it is for parents to be informed about vaccination.

“Ensuring parents are fully informed about immunisation is vital in ensuring we increase the rates of immunisation across Australia in the 0 to 5 age group,” Prof Frazer said.

“Vaccines work to protect children against being infected by these diseases. A parent will never know when their child may come into contact with someone who has got one of these infections, so the best way to protect children from these diseases, is to make sure they’re fully immunised,” Prof Frazer said.

Immunisationfacts.gov.au. has revealed that Inner Sydney, Burwood, Mullumbimby and Byron Bay in NSW have vaccination rates between 52 per cent and 74 per cent, while Sunshine and Gold Coast hinterland in Queensland have immunisation rates around 80 per cent.

In Western Australia, Denmark, South Perth, Subiaco and Maylands also have low immunisation rates, while in Victoria, South Yarra, St Kilda and Prahran are below 90 per cent, and in South Australia, Adelaide city centre and Unley have the lowest immunisation rates.

Source: News.com.au