So far in 2025, we have seen an unusually high number of whooping cough cases in Australia.
In January, almost 5,000 cases were recorded in our National Notifiable Disease Surveillance System. Most of these were in children aged 5 to 14 years.
This follows last year, when we saw the highest number of whooping cough cases reported since we started monitoring in 1991.
Whooping cough can be serious, especially for babies.
Vaccination is the best protection against whooping cough.
Eligible people – including children and pregnant people – can get vaccines for free under the National Immunisation Program or state or territory programs.
The protection you get from the whooping cough vaccine can wear off over time. Some people may need booster doses.
If you think you or your child may have whooping cough, see your healthcare professional as soon as possible.
We are monitoring Australia's national whooping cough situation.
Read more in:
- our whooping cough disease page and healthdirect – for information about symptoms, prevention and treatment
- the statement from the Chief Medical Officer and Acting Head of the interim CDC.