Whooping cough epidemic declared across Aotearoa New Zealand

22 November 2024

Health agencies have confirmed that Aotearoa New Zealand is now in the early stages of a whooping cough epidemic (Pertussis), with a nationally coordinated response now in place.

Director of Public Health, Dr Nicholas Jones, says that a number of countries are experiencing record levels of Pertussis, possibly due to lower infection rates during the COVID-19 pandemic. He says New Zealand should also be ready to see similarly high levels of cases over the next 12 months or more and, as in previous epidemics, Māori and Pacific pēpi will likely be most affected.

“Our main concern with this epidemic is the risk of severe illness among babies either too young to be immunised or whose immunisations are delayed. Our key objective is to protect pēpi through on time vaccination and immunisation during pregnancy. The numbers of babies who get very sick is much lower when mothers have been vaccinated during pregnancy, and when pēpi are vaccinated on time,” Dr Jones says.

Dr Susan Jack, National Clinical Director, Protection, at Health New Zealand | Te Whatu Ora, says the National Public Health Service is well prepared to manage the epidemic, with a national response team stood up to coordinate and support activity across public health services.

“Whooping cough is a highly contagious illness that can be particularly dangerous for newborn babies, and older adults, and in some cases it can be fatal. Sadly, three babies died from whooping cough last year, and we want to avoid that happening again,” Dr Jack says.

“The best protection for infants is for their mother to be vaccinated during pregnancy. The antenatal vaccination for pertussis is safe and free. This is most effective when given from 16 weeks of pregnancy – and should be done during each pregnancy to provide the best protection for each baby,” Dr Jack says.

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), and it is important that children are kept up to date with all their vaccinations to provide the best protection for themselves and their wider whānau. But even if tamariki have missed their vaccinations, it’s not too late to catch up.

For adults, New Zealand has a combined pertussis and tetanus vaccine. Adults are eligible for one free booster from age 45 (if they have not had four previous tetanus doses) and can get one free from age 65.

If you are a grandparent about to welcome a new pēpi into the family, it is highly recommended that you are up to date with your whooping cough boosters.