Doctors are alarmed by high rates of whooping cough (pertusssis) in Bay of Plenty and Lakes districts, with one in ten patients ending up in hospital.

Since the national whooping cough epidemic was declared late last year, there have been more than 300 reported cases across the wider region, with more than 30 people hospitalised.

Rotorua Hospital paediatrician Dr Danny de Lore said children most at risk were those living in communities where the immunisation rates were low.

"The continued spread of whooping cough is deeply worrying, especially for pēpi under one year's old," Dr de Lore said.

"We're seeing preventable hospitalisations. We know immunisation is the most effective protection, particularly for young children and hapū māmā."

Pregnant women, babies and Māori whānau are being "disproportionately affected", with multiple babies needing continued hospital care.

Dr de Lore said the best protection for babies was for their mother to get vaccinated during pregnancy, and for them to get their childhood vaccinations on time from six weeks to ensure ongoing protection.

Immunisation Schedule

Infants and children: Vaccinations at 6 weeks, 3 months, 5 months, and again at 4 years.

A further booster is given at age 11 years (school year 7).

For more information:

• Healthline: Call 0800 611 116 for free 24/7 health advice.
• Book My Vaccine: Schedule your vaccination at info.health.nz/bookavaccine
• Health NZ Information: Visit https://info.health.nz/conditions-treatments/infectious-diseases/whooping-cough