Behind the Flu Season’s Curtain: Queensland Grapples with a Growing Whooping Cough Crisis
Beneath the surface of what many assumed was just a typical flu season, Queensland is quietly battling an alarming rise in whooping cough cases.
Despite ongoing warnings from health officials, vaccination coverage has slipped, and complacency around personal hygiene appears to be fueling the spread. As infections soar to levels unseen in years, many are left questioning whether this outbreak could have been avoided.
In early 2025, Queensland has already reported 2,384 whooping cough cases—nearly three and a half times the usual average seen between 2020 and 2024. The previous year, 2024, witnessed an unprecedented 15,012 cases, eclipsing the combined totals from the prior 11 years.
Medical experts attribute this surge to declining vaccination rates since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic and a relaxation in everyday hygiene practices. Tragically, the virus claimed the life of a young child last year, a somber reminder that whooping cough remains a serious threat, especially for infants.
Professor Paul Griffin, director of infectious diseases at Brisbane’s Mater Hospital, voiced deep concern about the rising numbers. “These figures are considerably higher than what we typically expect,” he explained. “The drop in vaccination coverage is a key factor driving this outbreak. We know that those who remain unvaccinated are at a much greater risk of severe illness.”
Queensland Health data reveals vaccination rates for one-year-olds fell from 94.4% in late 2018 to just 90.8% in 2024. Meanwhile, immunization among pregnant women declined from approximately 77% in 2020 to about 70% in 2023, a worrying trend given the critical protection maternal vaccination provides to newborns.
Whooping cough can lead to serious complications including pneumonia, brain damage, and even death, particularly in vulnerable infants and young children.
Adrian Esterman, professor of epidemiology and biostatistics at the University of South Australia, noted that whooping cough outbreaks in Australia tend to occur cyclically every three to five years. The COVID-19 pandemic, he explained, disrupted this pattern, postponing an anticipated outbreak between 2020 and 2022.
Queensland’s Interim Chief Health Officer, Catherine McDougall, underscored the importance of vaccinations, especially for young children and pregnant mothers. Professor Esterman added a crucial point: “Vaccinating pregnant women can reduce the risk of their babies contracting whooping cough by up to 75%. This is why maternal immunization is so vital—it protects both mother and child.”
Though weekly cases have dropped to between 50 and 80 in recent weeks, whooping cough continues to circulate widely across Queensland communities, making ongoing vaccination campaigns critical to safeguarding public health.
Under the National Immunisation Program, whooping cough vaccines are offered free of charge to pregnant women, children at 2, 4, 6, and 18 months of age, and adolescents between 12 and 19 years old. Booster shots every ten years are recommended to maintain immunity throughout adulthood.
In Summary:
Queensland’s current whooping cough epidemic highlights the urgent need for maintaining strong vaccination rates and good personal hygiene habits to prevent serious infectious diseases. With infection numbers still above normal and infants at greatest risk, it is imperative that communities remain vigilant and prioritize immunization efforts.
Protecting the most vulnerable—especially pregnant women and young children—through timely vaccinations remains the most effective defense against this persistent threat. Heightened awareness and proactive measures will be essential to bringing this outbreak under control and ensuring the health of Queenslanders into the future.