National outbreak of whooping cough declared
The Ministry of Heath has declared a national outbreak of whooping cough, as a total of 1,315 cases have been reported
since the beginning of 2017.
“Babies under one year old are most vulnerable to the disease and often catch it from older siblings, their parents or
family members and friends,” said Ministry of Health Director of Public Health Dr Caroline McElnay.
“The best way to protect babies is for pregnant women to get their free immunisation against whooping cough between 28
and 38 weeks of pregnancy, and take their baby for their free immunisations when they’re six weeks, three months and
five months old.” Any siblings should also be up-to-date with their immunisations – older children receive free boosters
at four and eleven years of age. If people are unsure whether they or their children have been immunised, they can talk
to their health practitioner, doctor or nurse.
“On time immunisation is vitally important,” says Dr McElnay. “If immunisation is delayed, babies are vulnerable for
longer.”
When pregnant women are vaccinated, they pass their immunity on to their babies, protecting them until they are able to
be immunised at six weeks of age. The Ministry has asked midwives and general practices to work together to ensure that
pregnant women are referred to general practices for immunisation.
The Ministry of Health is encouraging people to be extra vigilant as they gather for Christmas and New Year
celebrations, in order to protect young babies from whooping cough.
“Anyone with coughs should be especially careful if they are likely to come in to contact with babies. Most adults don’t
realise they have whooping cough, but it is incredibly contagious.”
Outbreaks of the disease occur every 3 to 5 years. New Zealand’s most recent national outbreak spanned from August 2011
to December 2013, with about 11,000 cases notified. A total of 3 deaths in babies and young children occurred during
this period, with hundreds needing hospital treatment. New Zealand’s vaccination strategy for whooping cough is aimed at
preventing disease in babies. Whooping cough is less serious in adults, but is harder to prevent for them as immunity
wears off over time.
For more information on whooping cough, including videos and interviews with parents whose babies have caught whooping
cough please visit