Ballarat recorded 218 whooping cough cases in 2014, compared to 27 in 2013 and 38 in 2012, according to Department of Health figures.

Nine whooping cough cases have already been recorded so far this year.

Grampians Medicare Local immunisation co-ordinator Breeanne Fratin said there were several reasons for the sudden spike, including family members no longer having whooping cough immunity, current vaccine protection wearing off and anti-vaccination protesters not immunising their children.

She said a recent whooping cough study showed parents were the source of infection in more than 50 per cent of cases due to their immunity fading over time.

“You also need to make sure older children are fully immunised, with whooping cough boosters at four years and again in high school,” Ms Fratin said.

She also urged grandparents and friends to make sure their needles were up to date, with the state government announcing a return of the free whooping cough vaccine program that was axed in 2012.

“Anti-vaccination protesters are also creating more opportunity for a whooping cough outbreak and Grampians Medicare Local would encourage them to speak to their local provider if they have any concerns or questions,” Ms Fratin said.

Statewide, there has been a 57.7 per cent increase in whooping cough cases, rising from 2926 in 2013 to 4615 last year, with children aged under one particularly vulnerable.

Parents are eligible for the vaccine, which can be administered by a GP, community health centre, council immunisation clinic or Aboriginal health service as soon as the expectant mother enters the third trimester and up until the baby is six months old.

State Health Minister Jill Hennessy said the government expected more than 80,000 Victorians to now be vaccinated annually.

“Whooping cough is highly contagious and, if parents aren’t immunised, they could pass it on to their newborn baby,” Ms Hennessy said.

The government has committed $8.4 million to the program over four years by scrapping the Building Code and Construction Code Compliant units.

Whooping cough affects air passages and breathing, and can cause severe coughing spasms. 

It can also lead to complications such as haemorrhage, convulsions, pneumonia, encephalitis and even death.

Ms Fratin also stressed the vaccine was completely safe but urged anyone with questions to speak with an immunisation provider.

fiona.henderson@fairfaxmedia.com.au