In the past decade, pertussis has made a global resurgence, driving reconsideration of national immunisation schedules and vaccine usage. A workshop held by the Ministry of Health in 2015 discussed New Zealand’s pertussis disease control strategies.

Pertussis, commonly known as whooping cough, is a highly contagious respiratory disease. It causes severe bouts of coughing, which may be accompanied by vomiting and a whooping sound.

This page provides an overview of pertussis (whooping cough), from what it is and how you catch it, to how you can prevent it through vaccination.

Pertussis vaccinations are free and so important for hapū mama and young children.

Adacel® is approved for use as a booster vaccine to increases a person’s existing immunity to tetanus, diphtheria and pertussis (whooping cough).

This factsheet covers maternal Tdap vaccination during pregnancy, which protects against pertussis, tetanus and diphtheria. Maternal and infant vaccination are the key events to protect infants against pertussis.

Even with immunisation programmes, pertussis remains a significant cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide.

Although maternal pertussis vaccination is recommended, uptake is suboptimal in NewZealand (NZ), despite full funding in general practice and hospitals.