The South Eastern Health Board has issued an alert about the worrying incidence of the numbers of people with whooping cough in the region.

Parents have been urged to bring children who have not yet been vaccinated to their local GP for vaccination. The vaccine is usually administered in three doses – when the child is two, four and six months old. The vaccination is free of charge.

“This can be a distressing illness, especially in the very young,” said Dr. Máire O’Connor, Specialist in Public Health Medicine with the South Eastern Health Board. “It can have long term and often fatal consequences. Vaccination rates have fallen, hence the resurgence of the disease.”

The South Eastern Health Board is appealing to parents to ensure their children are fully vaccinated, both to protect that child and to protect young babies who are, as yet, too young to be vaccinated.

Symptoms of the illness include persistent and prolonged bouts of coughing and choking with or without fever. It is highly contagious.

So far this year, there have been seven cases of the illness confirmed in the South East. “This figure is just the tip of the iceberg,” said Dr. O’Connor. “Our worry is that there may be more children with the illness that haven’t, as yet, come to our notice.”

“Parents are reminded that the whooping cough vaccine is safe,” added Dr. O’Connor. “Any concerns parents may have can be discussed with their family doctor.”