Thanks to pregnancy vaccination, infant deaths from whooping cough and influenza are now rare in Australia

Pregnancy vaccination has led to a significant decrease in the hospitalisations and deaths of Australian infants from diseases like whooping cough and influenza.  In fact, Australia now reports some of the highest pregnancy vaccination rates in the world – something we can all be very proud of!

Globally, these diseases still kill a huge number of children.  According to the World Health organisation (WHO) there are an estimated 160 700 deaths from whooping cough in children under 5 each year, and up to 100 000 deaths from influenza in children under 5 each year. 

Many of these deaths occur in low- and middle- income countries, many of which could be prevented with access to pregnancy vaccination.

We can all play a role in protecting infants from whooping cough, influenza, and other vaccine-preventable diseases by talking to our pregnant friends and family members about the importance of pregnancy vaccination.