Whooping cough is highly contagious and particularly dangerous to babies, especially those aged under 6 weeks, who are too young to be vaccinated.
Four babies have died of the disease in New Zealand since 2023, with a national epidemic declared in late 2024.
As well as giving advice to schools to share with their communities, the NPHS had identified close contacts and arranged antibiotics for those infected, Hale said.
Whooping cough symptoms included a runny nose, fever, and dry cough, and people should stay home if unwell.
“With pertussis, the cough gradually gets worse and lasts for eight to 12 weeks, often developing into long coughing attacks.”
The illness can cause breathing difficulties and severe coughing fits, and can spread easily between people, usually by coughing and sneezing, he said.
“Young people can have a long and unpleasant illness, but usually recover without needing to go to hospital. However, our biggest worry is for newborn babies and infants, which is why we concentrate on immunisation during pregnancy and on-time childhood vaccination starting at six weeks.”
Whooping cough immunisations are free for certain age groups, including babies.
There had been fewer whooping cough cases recently in Auckland and Northland than in summer, but the disease was still circulating in the community, Hale said.
“This is why we really encourage those who are eligible to consider getting immunised.”
Pregnant women should get a free vaccine from 16 weeks of pregnancy, in every pregnancy, he said.
“This passes immunity to your baby through the placenta, and helps to protect them until they can have their first immunisations when they are 6 weeks old.”
Babies then need three doses when they are 6 weeks, 3 months and 5 months old, and booster doses are also given for free at the ages of 4, 11, 45 and 65.
Boosters are needed because protection against whooping cough weakens over time, Hale said.
“To get immunised or learn more, speak to your GP or usual healthcare provider. Lots of pharmacies in Auckland now also offer immunisations too, including in pregnancy.
“If you have missed any vaccines, you can catch up. Just ask when you speak to a healthcare professional.”
For more information, or help to book your vaccination, call the Vaccination Helpline free on 0800 28 29 26 (8.30am-5.00pm Monday to Friday) or visit healthnz.govt.nz/booking-a-vaccine.
Whooping cough symptoms
Symptoms usually appear a week after infection, with the first signs in the first five to 10 days, when people are most infectious, according to Health NZ.
The symptoms are:
A blocked or runny nose.Sneezing.A mild fever.Ongoing spasms of coughing.
After about a week, symptoms include:
Uncontrollable coughing fits that last for a few minutes.Coughing that leads to vomiting.A thick mucus that can make you vomit or choke.