Whooping cough clinics available across South Eastern HSC Trust area
Whooping Cough (Pertussis) vaccination clinics are now available across the South Eastern Health & Social Care Trust area making the vaccine more accessible to pregnant women.
This initiative comes in response to a significant increase in whooping cough cases across Northern Ireland.
There have been 1,788 confirmed cases of Whooping Cough so far this year in Northern Ireland compared with just two between 2021 and 2023.
Whooping Cough is a highly contagious and sometimes serious bacterial infection, which can make babies and young children in particular very ill.
This increase highlights the need for enhanced vaccination efforts to protect vulnerable populations, particularly babies and young children.
Women can receive the vaccine from 16 weeks of pregnancy, with the ideal window being between 20 and 32 weeks.
However, the vaccine remains beneficial even if administered later in pregnancy. Pregnant women are encouraged to speak to their midwives to learn more about the vaccination process and its benefits.
In addition to the Whooping Cough vaccination at antenatal clinics, the vaccine is a key component of the childhood vaccination programme.
It is administered to children at 8, 12 and 16 weeks of age and again at 3 years and 4 months.
Parents who are unsure if their child is up to date with vaccinations should check their child’s red book or consult with their Health Visitor or GP practice.
The vaccine will continue to be available through GP practices as well.
Clinics will take at the following locations and no booking is required:
Monday 15 July 2024
Downe Hospital, Maternity Unit – 8:45 am – 12:00 pm
Ulster Hospital, Maternity Unit – 1.00 pm – 4.30 pm
Tuesday 16 July 2024
Ards Hospital, Maternity Clinic – 9:00 am – 12:00 pm
Ulster Hospital, Maternity Unit – 1.00 pm – 4.30 pm
Wednesday 17 July 2024
Lagan Valley Hospital, Maternity Unit – 9:00 am – 12:00 pm
Ulster Hospital, Maternity Unit – 8:45 am – 12:30 pm
Ulster Hospital, Maternity Unit – 1:00 pm – 4.30 pm
Thursday 18 July 2024
Downe Hospital, Maternity Unit – 8:45 am – 11:30 am
Ulster Hospital, Maternity Unit – 1:00 pm – 4.30 pm
Friday 19 July 2024
Ulster Hospital, Maternity Unit – 8:45 am – 12:30 pm
Parents should be alert to the signs and symptoms of whooping cough, which include severe coughing fits accompanied by the characteristic ‘whoop’ sound in young children, and by a prolonged cough in older children or adults.
It is also advisable to keep babies away from anyone showing the signs or symptoms of whooping cough.
Whooping cough can spread very easily.
It is best to call your GP practice or GP Out of Hours service before you go in person. This will help to reduce it spreading to others.
In an emergency, dial 999.
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