FEWER than 400 pregnant women in Queensland have taken up the offer of a free whooping cough vaccine this year.
Figures from Queensland Health show the free vaccine program has had a low takeup rate since beginning on July 31, with 324 mums-to-be having a free shot.
Health professionals are now planning to step up awareness among pregnant women about the importance – and safety – of the vaccine to boost the number of women receiving the shot.
They say administering the vaccine during pregnancy helps to protect newborns from the potentially fatal respiratory illness in their first few weeks of life.
Health Minister Lawrence Springborg said he was “very pleased’’ with the early take-upI hope many more Queensland women follow their lead,’’ he said.