HIGHLIGHTING Whooping Cough Day this week, TerryWhite Chemmart (TWC) and the Immunisation Foundation of Australia are urging customers to take action and ensure they and their families are safeguarded against whooping cough.
Over the years, the concerted efforts of awareness campaigns and dedicated advocates, including Catherine Hughes, Director of the Immunisation Foundation of Australia and Light 4 Riley, have contributed to an increase in Australia's adoption of the whooping cough vaccination.
This has resulted in a decline in reported cases, demonstrating the power of community action, stated TWC's Chief Pharmacist Brenton Hart (pictured).
However, as the holiday season approaches, bringing gatherings of family and friends, the importance of vaccination cannot be overstated, he stressed.
As Hart pointed out "it's important to understand how highly infectious whooping cough or pertussis is and we often see many patients in our pharmacies who are well overdue for their booster vaccination.
"Advising pharmacy customers to be up-to-date with their pertussis vaccination is an effective way to prevent infection and its potential complications, as older children and adults who are not vaccinated are often the source of infection in infants," Hart added.
Hughes emphasised the importance of this partnership, stating, "our mission is to protect and educate".
"We've made substantial progress, but we're not done yet.
"The support of TWC in promoting Whooping Cough Day and beyond will help us reach more Australians and reinforce the significance of vaccination." JG
The above article was sent to subscribers in Pharmacy Daily's issue from 10 Nov 23
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