Attribute to Dr Matt Reid, Public Health Medicine Specialist, National Public Health Service, Health New Zealand | Te Whatu Ora

It is more important now than ever that we prioritise getting our hapū māmā, as well as our youngest and most vulnerable whānau members, immunised against whooping cough (pertussis).

“Today we are acknowledging the death of an infant from whooping cough over the Christmas period,” Dr Matt Reid, Public Health Medicine Specialist, National Public Health Service, says.

“Our hearts go out to the family who have lost their child to this highly infectious disease.”

“This is the last news any of us wanted. It is one death too many, and the first recorded since the national epidemic was declared on 22 November 2024,” Dr Reid says.

“It’s incredibly important that people look out for symptoms of whooping cough and urge any pregnant people and pēpi to get immunised.”

The tragic news comes as health services across Aotearoa New Zealand continue to respond to a nationwide whooping cough epidemic, with 1,232 cases notified since the onset of the epidemic (from 19 October 2024 to 10 January 2025) and 101 cases hospitalised. During 2023, three infants also sadly died from whooping cough.

“Whooping cough is highly contagious and can cause serious harm to pēpi, especially those aged under six-weeks-old, who are too young to be vaccinated,” Dr Reid says.

“Parents or caregivers should seek medical advice for their tamariki if they have a cough that ends with a ‘whoop’ sound or vomiting.

Whooping cough in pēpi is unpredictable and can get worse very quickly. Parents should also seek urgent medical advice if their pēpi: 

  • Stops breathing 
  • Goes blue with coughing 
  • Appears to have a cold, then cough and have difficulty breathing 
  • Gets exhausted from coughing 
  • Is not able to feed properly because of coughing and difficulty breathing
  • Loses weight because of difficulty feeding and because the cough causes them to vomit (be sick).   

“The best protection for you and your whānau against whooping cough is to get vaccinated – particularly pregnant people, pēpi, tamariki and older adults who are at higher risk.”

The whooping cough pregnancy vaccine is free and is best given from 16 weeks of pregnancy. The vaccine should also be given with each pregnancy to protect each baby.

Childhood vaccinations to protect against whooping cough are needed at ages 6 weeks, 3 months and 5 months, and again at 4 years. A further booster is given at age 11 years (school year 7). 

Adults are eligible for one free booster from age 45 (if they have not had four previous tetanus doses) and can also get one free from age 65.

For more information, or help to book your vaccination, call the Vaccination Healthline free on 0800 28 29 26 (8.30am-5.00pm Monday to Friday) or visit info.health.nz/bookavaccine

Anyone with a cough for two weeks or more, or a cough that ends with a ‘whoop’ sound or vomiting should seek medical advice. Contact your doctor or call Healthline for free on 0800 611 116. If anyone has difficulty breathing, call 111 and get help immediately.