The National Public Health Service (NPHS) and the Public Health Agency declared a national whooping cough epidemic on 22 November 2024
This follows on from high numbers of whooping cough cases and related hospitalisations occurring consistently throughout Aotearoa over the last several weeks.
What you need to know
What is whooping cough/pertussis?
Whooping cough, also called pertussis, is a very infectious bacterial illness that can cause severe bouts of coughing and breathing troubles. It is sometimes called the "100 day cough" because it can last up to 3 months. You can pass whooping cough on to others before you even know you've got it. Pēpi (babies), tamariki (children), and the elderly are at particular risk of complications from whooping cough. In severe cases, whooping cough can lead to pneumonia, paralysis, brain damage, and other health concerns, or even death.
What are the symptoms of whooping cough?
The early symptoms of whooping cough can be similar to a common cold:
Blocked or runny nose
Sneezing
Mild fever
Ongoing spasms of cough
After about 1 week, you may develop:
Coughing that leads to vomiting
Uncontrollable coughing fits
A thick mucus that can make you vomit or choke
You may also experience:
Breathing difficulties
Severe coughing fits
A "whoop" sound when gasping for breath between coughs
It's important to remember that the "whoop" sound that whooping cough is named after may or may not be heard, and to be careful about any of the other symptoms listed above.
Be vigilant about severe or life-threatening symptoms: see more below.
How can I protect myself and my whānau against whooping cough?
Vaccination is the best protection against whooping cough. If you're unsure of your whooping cough vaccination status, you can:
ask your nurse or doctor during your appointment, or
call reception, who will pass your query on to our Primary Care Practice Assistant (PCPA) to check for you, or
email our PCPA directly at jack@ttmc.co.nz
Pregnant people: a free whooping cough booster vaccination is recommended in every pregnancy from 16 weeks. Vaccination during pregnancy enables antibodies to pass to your pēpi via the placenta, giving your pēpi protection for their first few months of life.
Whānau of pregnant people: if you're spending time around a pregnant person or pēpi, check when you last received a whooping cough vaccination and whether a booster is recommended. Where possible, it's best to get a booster before the birth of the baby to give more time for your immune response to develop.
Pēpi and tamariki: whooping cough vaccinations are free for all babies and children at ages 6 weeks, 3 months, 5 months, 4 years, and 11 years. It's important that tamariki receive all five of these whooping cough vaccinations. If you think your tamaiti (child) has missed or is overdue a dose, please get in touch with us to check. Young people can receive free catch-up doses up to the age of 18 years.
45 and 65 year olds: at age 45 years you're eligible for a free whooping cough booster if you've received less than four tetanus doses in your life time (the tetanus vaccine, Boostrix, also vaccinates against whooping cough and diphtheria); from age 65 years you're eligible for a free whooping cough booster if it's been more than 10 years since your last tetanus vaccination (the tetanus vaccine, Boostrix, also vaccinates against whooping cough and diphtheria).
If you're not eligible for a free whooping cough vaccine, you can pay to receive one. Enquire with reception about the cost when you call to book. Whooping cough boosters are recommended every 5 years for those who work with or spend time around pēpi and tamariki, such as healthcare workers, ECE workers, or extended whānau of newborns, and 7-10 yearly for others.
What do I do if I think myself or someone in my whānau could have whooping cough?
If your or your whānau's symptoms are severe or life-threatening, call 111 immediately.
Severe or life-threatening symptoms include difficulty breathing, turning blue from coughing, long periods of coughing that end in vomiting, being very ill, and stopping breathing.
Be extra vigilant with young pēpi/babies, whose severe symptoms may not be obvious. About 50% of pēpi who catch whooping cough before 12 months require hospitalisation, and whooping cough can be particularly life-threatening to them.
If your or your whānau's symptoms are not severe or life-threatening...
Isolate yourself or your family member from others as much as possible.
Call us (or, if your family member is enrolled elsewhere, call their medical centre). All of our patients with any respiratory symptoms are triaged over the phone by one of our nurses before any appointments are booked. One of our nurses will discuss your symptoms and then advise you on the next steps.
Please do not show up at our clinic with whooping cough or other Covid-19/flu/cold-like symptoms without speaking with one of our nurses first: it's important that all patients follow our health and safety protocols for the safety of other patients and staff.
If it is a weekend, contact your nearest After Hours clinic. They will have a process for safely managing respiratory illnesses.
