No light at the end of the tunnel for low vaccination rates from an illness that puts infants at risk of death.

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

Te Whatu Ora says it's important pregnant women in their second trimester are vaccinated against the disease to pass a level of immunity on to their baby.

Auckland University vaccinologist Helen Petousis Harris told Mike Hosking the health system is under pressure.

She says the health system has been eroding for years and there are some physical obstacles preventing people from being vaccinated.

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