THE Victorian Government's decision to re-introduce free whooping cough vaccines for expecting parents and those of newborn babies will help to address a national increase in reported cases, Bendigo Health says.
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Reported cases had increased 58 per cent from 2013 to 2014. The free vaccine was abolished in 2012.
Under the program, parents will be eligible for the free vaccine as soon as the expectant mother enters the third trimester, up until the baby is six months old.
The whooping cough vaccination is already part of a child’s immunisation program and they receive their first vaccination at two months old.
Bendigo Health manager of infection prevention control Jane Hellsten said the re-introduction was a necessary step to curb an impending whooping cough epidemic.
"During the time when we were giving a free vaccination, there was a lot of whooping cough in our community," she said.
"The number of cases would plateau and drop when the vaccination was being given out.
"If you take the vaccine off for a longer period, you are likely to see a peak in the epidemic curve."
The previous program allowed for free vaccinations for primary carers of children.
The expectant mother will be eligible for a vaccination when she enters the third trimester and until the baby is six months old.
The shots take place at two months, four months and six months when the baby's immune system has matured.
During the first two months, breast feeding can be a boost to the immune system.
Ms Hellsten said the spread of whooping cough can often be attributed to adults without vaccinations.
"It often goes undetected in adults," she said.
"Sometimes it's what's referred to as the 100-day cough. It's only after a few weeks that people will come into the doctors and then they will become diagnosed."
