Parents at the northside school were alerted by management this week with whooping cough also reported at the Turner School and Orana Steiner School in April and May.

An ACT Health spokesman said an increase in notifications was recorded between March and May, although new cases had declined since then.

"Schools are encouraged to distribute information and place notices in school newsletters if a case of whooping cough occurs in the school," he said.

An ACT Education and Training spokesman said parents were required to notify schools as soon as they believed their child may have whooping cough.

"Schools must then notify the Chief Health Officer," he said. "Principals advise parents or carers of confirmed outbreaks at the school by newsletter or letter to parents or carers."

The ACT Health spokesman said vaccination was the most effective way to avoid the whooping cough infection.

"However, immunity does fade over time and it is still possible to get whooping cough even if you have been vaccinated in the past," he said.

Whooping cough is cyclical in nature with the last outbreak in the ACT occurring in 2010-11.

"Vaccination is recommended for all Australian children with the first dose of pertussis-containing vaccine given from six to eight weeks of age, followed by doses at four and six months, a booster from three-four years of age and a further booster at 12-17 years of age," the health spokesman said.

"A booster dose of pertussis containing vaccine for 18-month-old children is to be added to the national immunisation program schedule later this year."