ALERT - Whooping Cough Day Sat 8 Nov - Canberra Immunisation clinic and call for national approach to lift uptake of vaccinations in pregnancy

Immunisation Foundation of Australia

This weekend, Canberra will be the centre of a national push to help lift the rate of vaccinations in pregnancy.

To mark Whooping Cough Day (8 November), the Immunisation Foundation of Australia, founded by mother Catherine Hughes AM, who lost her four-week-old son Riley to whooping cough, will host a pop-up vaccination clinic at the Canberra Pregnancy, Babies & Children’s Expo (Saturday 8 and Sunday 9 November).

The clinic will offer information on recommended vaccinations in pregnancy and the opportunity for eligible expectant mums to receive vaccinations.

The clinic coincides with the launch of a new national Maternal Immunisation in Australia whitepaper which highlights a critical gap in Australia's national immunisation approach. Whilst we have national targets for childhood immunisation, none exist for maternal vaccination.

Experts say national maternal immunisation targets would help ensure every expectant mother in Australia receives consistent information and easy access to vaccination, no matter where she lives or how she receives care.

This is a strong local story with national significance and an important public health message.

Key vision opportunities:

Catherine Hughes speaking with expectant parents at the Canberra Expo
Pregnant women receiving vaccinations on-site
Families engaging with health experts at the Immunisation Foundation of Australia stall

For further information, to arrange an interview with Catherine on-site or coordinate filming opportunities at the Expo on Saturday 8 November please contact:

Nicki Sambuco at [email protected] or on +61 (0) 452 446 084

Chloe Danvers at [email protected] or on +61 (0) 466 626 429