A baby has died from whooping cough during the Christmas period, marking the first fatality since the national epidemic was declared. 

Te Whatu Ora’s Public Health Medicine Specialist Dr Matt Reid announced the first victim of the current epidemic today saying it was more important than ever to prioritise immunisation against whooping cough. 

“Today we are acknowledging the death of an infant from whooping cough over the Christmas period,” Reid said. 

“Our hearts go out to the family who have lost their child to this highly infectious disease.” 

Reid said it is one death too many, and the first recorded since the national epidemic was declared on November 22. 

“It’s incredibly important that people look out for symptoms of whooping cough and urge any pregnant people and pēpi to get immunised.” 

More to come.