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The Guardian - AU
The Guardian - AU
Politics
Melissa Davey Medical editor

Australians urged to get whooping cough vaccination as infections rise more than tenfold in year

Vaccination
Health authorities are urging Australians to get vaccinated against whooping cough, a highly contagious respiratory infection that spreads through droplets produced when coughing and sneezing. Photograph: James Ross/AAP

Health authorities across Australia are urging people to get vaccinated as cases of pertussis, commonly known as whooping cough, continue to surge.

The latest national data shows more than 26,700 cases reported so far in 2024, compared with 2,451 cases for all of 2023. The numbers are being driven by cases in Queensland and NSW.

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