Whooping Cough Vaccination

The Hon. J.S. LEE (15:04): I seek leave to make a brief explanation before asking the Attorney-General, representing the Minister for Health and Wellbeing, a question about contagious bacterial infection.

Leave granted.

The Hon. J.S. LEE: According to data obtained from the SA Health website on 16 June 2025, South Australia continues to experience a significant and sustained outbreak of whooping cough with elevated case numbers persisting for over 12 months. Whooping cough is a highly contagious bacterial infection that poses serious risks to infants, pregnant women and those wanting immunity.

Despite the predictable nature of the outbreaks typically occurring every three to four years, this prolonged spike suggests gaps in our public health response, particularly in vaccination coverage and early intervention. My questions to the Attorney-General, representing the minister, are:

1. What is the government currently doing to manage and contain the spread of whooping cough in South Australia?

2. How is the government ensuring accessibility of vaccinations, especially for pregnant women and young children?

3. What, if any, public awareness campaigns are being implemented, and how are those campaigns being evaluated?

4. Given that this outbreak has been persisting for over a year and that whooping cough cycles are now well understood, why was the government seemingly unprepared, and what additional measures will be put in place to address this public health concern?

The Hon. K.J. MAHER (Minister for Aboriginal Affairs, Attorney-General, Minister for Industrial Relations and Public Sector, Special Minister of State) (15:06): I thank the honourable member for her question. I will pass that on to the minister in another place and bring back a reply. One of the important aspects that the honourable member has highlighted in her question is the vital role that vaccinations play in any public health system. In fact, it is one of the most important public health interventions that has ever been undertaken, and it is concerning that we see, not just in this country but in places around the world, misinformation deliberately put out about the role vaccinations have played and how important they are in public health. But in relation to the specific questions about whooping cough, I will ask the health minister in another place and bring back a reply.