Push for free pertussis vaccines

With the Tasmanian Election around the corner, the RACGP has launched calls to the state’s political parties and candidates to fund a free vaccination program to protect against whooping cough.
 
Since early last year, Tasmania has seen a steady increase in cases of the infectious disease, described by the State Health Department as being ‘consistent with epidemic activity’.
 
As the state prepares to cast its vote on 19 July, RACGP Tasmania Chair Dr Toby Gardner warns the disease ‘must be taken seriously’ and is urging all candidates to rollout a free vaccination program to boost rates and ‘make a real difference.’
 
‘We’re calling for all political parties to commit to funding a Tasmanian vaccination program for all patients to stop this disease in its tracks and save lives,’ he said.
 
Australia has a national target of 95% for childhood vaccination coverage, including the combined diphtheria-tetanus-pertussis (DTP) vaccine.
 
Overall coverage for the third dose of the DTP vaccine in children at 12 months of age was 93.3% in 2023, falling short of the 95% target. 
 
According to different data, areas with the lowest DTP vaccination rates are the Gold Coast, North Coast New South Wales, Central and Western Queensland.
 
Meanwhile, Tasmania is among the areas with the highest vaccination rates, alongside the Australian Capital Territory, Western NSW and Northern Sydney.
 
Dr Gardner says cost is a key factor contributing to vaccination rates not meeting targets.
 
‘Cost can deter families from vaccinations, including for whooping cough, and particularly during a time of high cost-of-living pressures,’ he said.
 
‘For those not covered by the National Immunisation Program [NIP] the cost of a combined DTP vaccine can range from $45–50 per dose.
 
‘For a family with several kids already up against it, those vaccinations can be out of reach.’
 
He said ‘vaccine fatigue’ following the nationwide COVID-19 vaccination program has also made some people complacent about other infectious diseases, including whooping cough.
 
Dr Gardner also warns that online misinformation, including on social media, continues to present challenges for public health messages of the benefits of vaccination.
 
‘You’re better off consulting with a GP you trust and who knows you and your history, rather than relying on social media,’ he said.
 
In Tasmania, 1422 whooping cough cases were notified between 1 January 2024 and 15 July 2025.
 
This included more than 10 infants aged under six months, with most hospitalisations occurring in this age group who are not old enough to have received all vaccine doses under the NIP recommendations.
 
Alongside previous research, Tasmania’s Health Department says the most effective way to protect infants is for their mother to receive the pertussis vaccine during pregnancy.
 
Nationally, more than 21,000 infections were recorded last year, compared to 2450 in 2023, with more than 16,000 infections recorded in 2025 so far.
 
The National Centre for Immunisation Research has warned the ‘surge is not over’ and while babies aged under six months are at increased risk, most cases occur in older children and adults, with more than 70% of cases in people aged 10 years and older in 2024.
 
Dr Gardner reminds of the importance of vaccination against the potentially fatal infection for all age groups.
 
‘Immunity can dissipate over time, so if it’s been more than a decade since the last vaccination, it’s time for a booster,’ he said.
 
‘We’re still in the middle of a serious whooping cough outbreak, and this must be taken seriously.’
 
‘[Funding a vaccine program] is a sensible public health measure that would make a real difference.’
 
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pertussis RACGP advocacy Tasmanian Government vaccination whooping cough