GRANDPARENTS are being urged to make sure they are immunised against whooping cough after incidents of the deadly disease increased by 50 per cent across Victoria last year.
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Doctors have been warned to be on the lookout for potential cases after 4614 cases were reported in 2014, up from 2926 the previous year.
Reported cases increased in all parts of the inner north-west, including Melbourne (55 cases, up 77 per cent), Yarra (59 cases, up 26 per cent), Moonee Valley (36 cases, up 44 per cent) and Moreland (62 cases, up 59 per cent).
The increase follows a drop in 2013 from very high levels in 2012.
Inner North West Melbourne Medicare Local chief executive Associate Professor Christopher Carter said the 56 per cent statewide increase recorded among children aged 0-4 was most concerning.
"Infants and young children are especially at risk of complications from pertussis, which can include pneumonia, seizures, encephalopathy and even death," he said.
Newborns are particularly vulnerable as the first dose of the pertussis vaccine cannot be given before six weeks of age.
"That's why it's so important we boost immunisation rates in our community, not only for the newborns themselves but also for the people who come into contact with them – parents, siblings, grandparents and friends," Associate Professor Carter said.
