More than 150 children hospitalised in Ireland with whooping cough this year

New figures have shown that more than 150 children have been hospitalised with whooping cough this year in Ireland.

The findings have detailed that 514 cases of the highly contagious disease have been reported in Ireland so far this year. This is an increase of 18 cases from the same time last year.

Whooping cough, which is also known as pertussis, can cause serious illness in young children, particularly infants.

Within this year’s figures, 101 cases were in babies aged five months and younger, who were too young to have received their first vaccination against whooping cough.

87 cases were reported in children aged one to two, while 53 were found in children between five and nine years old, and 53 were in children aged 10 to 14.

The Health Protection Surveillance Centre (HPSC) said that 153 of the cases reported required hospitalisation.

Cases of whooping cough have been significantly on the rise in recent years, with just five cases being reported in Ireland in 2021, as well as seven cases in 2022. The cycle of increased whooping cough infections tends to take place every five years.

Speaking about the rise in figures, the HPSC explained: “We last saw high numbers of cases in 2016 and 2017. Therefore, considering the impact of the pandemic, it is not unexpected to see this increase in 2024.”

They continued: “Similar increases are being seen across Europe. Since mid-2023, several EU countries have reported an increase in the number of pertussis cases notified.”

They added: “The best way to protect against pertussis is vaccination. In Ireland, pertussis-containing vaccines are offered as part of national immunisation programmes. Babies born before September 30, 2024 are offered the following childhood immunisation at two, four and six months of age by their GP.”

If parents are worried that their child has missed a whooping cough vaccine, they can check their vaccine records or speak to their local GP.

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