WHOOPING COUGH VACCINATION

BOOSTRIX is a vaccine used for booster vaccination against diphtheria, tetanus and pertussis (whooping cough). The vaccine is sometimes called Tdap vaccine.

Whooping cough (also known as pertussis) is a highly contagious bacterial respiratory disease which can be serious, especially in vulnerable people such as newborns or adults with existing health conditions. Whooping Cough is more contagious than the flu - however it is preventable with a vaccine.

The Boostrix Vaccine is funded for individuals meeting the following eligible criteria:

• A single dose for pregnant women in the second of third trimester of each pregnancy; or

• A single dose for parents or primary caregivers of infants admitted to a Neonatal Intensive Care Unit or Specialist Care Baby Unit for more than 3 days, who had not been exposed to maternal vaccination at least 14 days prior to birth; or

• A course of up to four doses is funded for children from ages 7 up to age of 18 years inclusive to complete fully primary immunisation; or

• An additional four doses (as appropriate) are funded for (re-)immunisation for patients post haematopoietic stem cell transplantation or chemotherapy; pre or post splenectomy; pre- or post soldi organ transplant, renal dialysis and other severely immunosuppressive regimens.

• A singe dose for vaccination of patients aged from 65 years old; or

• A single dose for vaccination of patients age from 45 years old who have not had 4 previous tetanus doses; or

• For vaccination of previously unimmunised or partially immunised patients; or

• For revaccination following immunosuppression; or

• For boosting of patients with tetanus-prone wounds