Healthcare workers are raising alarm bells over low vaccination rates from a disease that puts babies at risk.

Three babies, under the age of one, have died from whooping cough since February.

Te Whatu Ora is encouraging pregnant women in their second trimester to be vaccinated, to pass protection on to their baby.

General Practice New Zealand chair Dr. Bryan Betty told Kate Hawkesby the pandemic is to blame for low levels of immunisation, as it strained the health system.

He says immunisation rates dropped dramatically over Covid and we really need to get back on track.

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