Immunise now as whooping cough is on the rise

Pregnant people, hapū māma, babies/pēpi, children and others at high risk from whooping cough are urged to get vaccinated as soon as possible. A whooping cough epidemic was declared for Aotearoa New Zealand on 22nd November 2024. A nationally coordinated response now in place.

Whooping cough (also known as pertussis) is a highly contagious illness that can be particularly dangerous for babies, with cases rising across the motu over the past months to high levels.

1,232 cases have been reported across the motu since October 2024 with 101 cases hospitalised. One infant died from whooping cough over the Christmas period.

“Our hearts go out to the family who have lost their child to this highly infectious disease. This is the last news any of us wanted. It is one death too many,” says Dr Matt Reid – Public Health Medicine Specialist at the National Public Health Service.

“We are most concerned for newborn babies who are too young to be vaccinated. This is why it so vitally important for pregnant people and hapū māma to be vaccinated. This is recommended from 16 weeks of pregnancy as the best and safest way to protect their baby from this serious, and sadly, sometimes fatal disease,” says Dr Susan Jack – National Clinical Director Protection at the National Public Health Service.

• Find out more about whooping cough (Health NZ).

Getting immunised for whooping cough

Infants and young children also need be protected by being kept up to date with their pertussis immunisations, which are due at ages 6 weeks, 3 months and 5 months, and again at 4 years. A further booster is given at age 11 years (school year 7) – though it’s never too late for children to catch up on their vaccinations.

“Vaccinations are FREE for all children aged under 18 – including visitors to New Zealand regardless of their citizenship. Adults are eligible for one FREE booster from age 45 (if they have not had four previous tetanus doses), and can get one FREE from age 65.

“It’s also a good reminder that children particularly need to be kept up to date with all of their vaccinations, such as measles, mumps and rubella too – and not just pertussis,” Dr Jack says. “Now is a great time to check that you, your whānau and tamariki are up to date with all of your immunisations.”

The FREE whooping cough vaccine can be given at your GP, Hauora Māori, Pacific health service, or at some pharmacies.

• Book your whooping cough vaccination online, or call 0800 28 29 26 for more information or assistance (8.30am to 5pm Monday to Friday).
• Find out more about the whooping cough vaccination.

Signs and symptoms of whooping cough to look out for

Whooping cough is highly infectious and is spread by coughing and sneezing. It’s caused by bacteria which damage the breathing tubes.
The symptoms usually appear around a week after infection.

Parents or caregivers should seek medical advice for their tamariki if they have a cough that ends with a ‘whoop’ sound or vomiting.

Whooping cough in pēpi is unpredictable and can get worse very quickly. Babies under the age of one who get pertussis are more likely to become seriously ill and need hospital treatment.

Parents should seek urgent medical advice if their pēpi: 

• Stops breathing;
• Goes blue with coughing;
• Appears to have a cold, then cough and have difficulty breathing;
• Gets exhausted from coughing;
• Is not able to feed properly because of coughing and difficulty breathing;
• Loses weight because of difficulty feeding and because the cough causes them to vomit (be sick).

See your doctor if you think you or a family member may have whooping cough, particularly if they:

• have prolonged coughing spasms;
• turn blue while coughing;
• cough with a whooping sound; and
• are not vaccinated.

• Find out more about whooping cough (Health NZ).

Adapted from: Health NZ media releases (October and November 2024 and January 2025).

Protect yourself against Legionnaires’ disease

Warmer weather in spring and daylight saving brings many New Zealanders out into the garden. It’s also unfortunately the time when gardeners are most at risk of catching Legionnaires’ disease from bags or bulk loads of potting mix and compost.

Gardeners are being urged to take care with potting mix and compost – with 108 cases of the disease already confirmed across the country this year.

Medical Officer of Health Dr Cheryl Brunton, says Legionnaires’ disease is a form of pneumonia.

“It’s caused by the Legionella bacteria that live in moist organic material and people can catch the disease by breathing in airborne droplets or particles containing the bacteria.

“Gardeners are at particularly high risk of catching Legionnaires’ disease as the bacteria thrive in potting mix and compost,” says Dr Reid.

In Canterbury there is typically a spike in cases in spring that can be attributed to increased gardening activity and good weather. Now is the time for people to make sure they are taking the necessary steps to avoid catching the disease.

There are some simple actions gardeners should take to avoid getting Legionnaires’ disease:

1. Always work outside. Find a well-ventilated outdoor area and preferably with light winds.
2. Wear a well-fitting face mask. An N95 or respirator is best.
3. Wear gloves when handling potting mix or compost.
4. Cut – don’t rip. Carefully open bags of compost or potting mix with scissors and away from your face.
5. Compost dry? Damp it down. This will reduce dust.
6. Wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water. Do this after handling potting mix or compost and before touching your face or removing your mask.

“Legionnaires’ disease is a very serious illness and following these simple steps can be lifesaving,” says Dr Matt Reid.

The illness may be mild but can sometimes be fatal. It is more common in older people, particularly if they smoke, have poor immunity or a chronic illness. However, even healthy young people have died from Legionella pneumonia.

• Find out more about keeping yourself safe when gardening [1.47MB PDF].
• Download a poster about keeping yourself safe from Legionnaires’ Disease [114KB PDF].

Symptoms of Legionnaire’s disease to look out for

Symptoms of the disease can include a ‘flu-like’ illness with:

• dry coughing;
• high fever;
• chills;
• shortness of breath;
• muscle aches;
• headaches; and
• diarrhoea.

Anyone who has these symptoms should see their general practice team immediately for advice, and let them know they have been handling potting mix or compost recently.

• Get more information about Legionnaire’s disease (Health NZ).

Healthcare services wherever you are over summer

Health New Zealand is reminding New Zealanders to be aware of the healthcare options available – with summer here and the holiday break now on our doorstep.

Many healthcare providers will be operating on reduced hours and with skeleton staff over the Christmas and New Year period, while others will be closed. Emergency Departments (ED) at hospitals throughout New Zealand will also often be very busy over the festive season.

You can call your regular general practice team 24/7 for care around the clock – wherever you are. A team of staff can tell you what to do and where to go if you need to be seen urgently. They are available to take your call any time of day or night – including on public holidays!

This will help keep EDs and urgent care clinics around the motu free for those really who need after-hours, urgent or emergency care.

Be sure to load your general practice’s number into your mobile phone before you head off on holiday.

You could organise an online or phone consultation with your GP or medical centre if it’s not an emergency.

• Get up-to-date information on GP opening hours over the Christmas and New Year period (HealthPoint).
• Get up-to-date information on pharmacy opening hours over the Christmas and New Year period (HealthPoint).

Getting after-hours, urgent or emergency care over the summer

You can use the new Ka Ora tele-health service if you live in a rural area to have a phone or video consultation (0800 252 672). The service runs from 5pm to 8am on weekdays and 24 hours a day at weekends and on public holidays.

You can seek care in person from an urgent care clinic. Christchurch has three options available:

• The 24 Hour Surgery (401 Madras Street – near the corner with Bealey Avenue).
  Phone (+64) 3 365 7777.
• Moorhouse Medical (3 Pilgrim Place)
  Phone (+64) 3 365 7900.
• Riccarton Clinic (4 Yaldhurst Road)
  Phone (+64) 3 343 3661.

An after-hours GP service is available from Selwyn Village Healthcare (314 Selwyn Street, Spreydon) – from 6 to 11pm.

Call 111 in a life-threatening emergency.

Getting health advice 24/7

There are several FREE options you can call for advice:

• Call Healthline (0800 611 116) – interpreter support is available. Māori clinicians are available from 8am to 8pm.
• Call PlunketLine if you have unwell infants or children (0800 933 922).
• Call the rural tele-health service (0800 2 KA ORA – 0800 252 672). The service runs from 5pm to 8am on weekdays and 24 hours a day at weekends and on public holidays.

Your community pharmacy can also give health advice. They can also provide treatment for common conditions such as eye infections and inflammation, pain and fever, scabies, urinary tract infection, head lice, eczema or dermatitis, and minor skin infections – all without the need for a prescription from your GP.

Getting mental wellbeing advice 24/7

Helpline services offer support, information and help for you and your parents, family, whānau and friends. The services listed below are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

• Call or text 1737 if you’re feeling anxious or just need someone to talk. You can speak to or text a trained counsellor.
• Depression NZ has mental health and wellbeing online support tools and resources.
• Contact Youthline on 0800 376 633, free text 234 or email talk[at]youthline.co.nz
• Suicide Crisis Helpline is available on 0508 828 865 (0508 TAUTOKO).

New Zealanders are also encouraged to be mindful that the holiday season can be a stressful and lonely time for some. Regularly checking in on neighbours, friends or whānau, or extending an invitation to share kai can be helpful ways to support your community over the summer.

Be prepared for the holidays

Make sure you’re well stocked with any over the counter and prescription medicines you need. Pharmacies outside the main centres may not carry some medicines, or have limited stock, so it is best to be prepared and take what you need with you. Make sure that you don’t run out on a public holiday – leaving you high and dry.

Most general practices will allow you to request repeat prescriptions online or over the phone. If you or a whānau member is running low on prescription medication, please contact your local GP or healthcare provider now if you need to book an appointment.

Make sure your family first aid kit is well stocked to treat minor health issues at home. This includes:

• plasters and bandages;
• antiseptic ointment;
• paracetamol or ibuprofen – as well as children’s paracetamol;
• medications for cough and cold symptoms;
• insect repellent; and
• anything else you think might be handy.

Source: Health NZ media release (10th December 2024).

Five Ways to Wellbeing during the holiday season

Are you expecting this Christmas to be stressful – either for you or someone you know?

Christmas is supposed to be an uplifting time of year spent with whānau and enjoying good weather. However Christmas can be really challenging for a lot of us.

There is no shame in not enjoying the festive season, whatever your reason might be. If you’re feeling worried about how you might cope with Christmas this year, there are things you can do to support yourself. Help is available should you need it.

More than a quarter of all New Zealanders feel added financial and social stresses during the festive season. The pressure is on some of us to create a magical day for our tamariki and whānau. The Kirihimete period can increase loneliness and hardship for others, with limited access to kai, transport and other services.

Christmas can be stressful – but it doesn’t have to be

Here are some ways to deal with stress for you, whānau and others around you…

• Think about what you’d like your experience of the Christmas season to be – a time to relax? A time for tradition? A time to connect with people?
• Try to plan things that you know will help uplift your wellbeing. You might find some local walks you want to complete, a community meal you want to go along to, or start your own festive tradition.
• Remember that family can be what you choose, especially if you’re disconnected from the family you grew up with. You might prioritise spending time with friends, neighbours, or people in your community who you feel connected with over Christmas.
• Try to let yourself feel your feelings. You can recognise and experience your feelings without being totally absorbed by them. It might help to keep a mood diary so that you can understand what helped or what was hard during the Christmas season. Remember that Christmas will end, and so will these feelings.
• Share how you’re feeling with someone you trust. It can help you to feel less alone if you tell someone what’s been going on for you. This could be a friend, family member, or mental health professional.
• Plan things to look forward to after the Christmas season is over. It can feel uplifting to celebrate the hard work you have put in to look after yourself during a challenging time.
• Keep up a good wellbeing routine.

Call or text 1737 if you ever feel Christmas pressure is affecting your or someone else’s mental health. You don’t need to keep it to yourself – their trained counsellors are always on hand to help.

• Get more advice from the Mental Health Foundation on looking after yourself during the festive season, such as if you are feeling lonely, or facing grief or money stress.
• Watch a video from Canterbury Medical Officer of Health Dr Ramon Pink on doing the simple things to bring you joy over the holidays (Facebook).

Five Ways to Wellbeing: Simple things we can do to feel great

Connect (me whakawhanaunga)

Spend time really connecting with your whanāu each day. If you haven’t seen them in a while, stop and ask them how their year has been, how they’ve handled things etc.

• Make some time in your day to connect with nature – stretch your legs outside or bring the outside in.
• Go barefoot and feel the grass or sand between your toes.
• Go for a swim in the sun.
• Find a photo of the natural world and make it your screen saver, or adopt a potted plant.
• Reach out to people you know – Skype them, call or Facebook them, or meet face to face.
• Take some time to read the local newspaper or newsletter to see what’s going on in your area, such as an organised group outing, musical or cultural performance or community Christmas event.
• Take friends or whānau to look at Christmas lights.
• Spend quality time with whānau doing things you all enjoy.
• Head along to listen to Christmas carols.

Give (tukua)

Giving is huge at Christmas time but it’s also expensive. One way to shake off the financial stress is by getting creative with the holiday spirit. You could also focus on giving kindness, your time, or your presence – it’s a present in itself!

• Give a smile to a stranger or a compliment to someone.
• Give the gift of time by offering to help with someone’s garden or babysit.
• Do some Christmas arts and crafts. Make a gift from natural materials. Bake seasonal treats to give away as presents, create decorations or reduce your card costs! Crafts are a great way to get tamariki involved in the festive spirit.
• Donate some old toys, books or clothes to someone who might need some kindness.
• Visit people or whānau in your community who may be a little lonely over the festive season. Rest homes and animal shelters value companionship and Christmas cheer. Random acts of kindness also do the trick!

Take notice (me aro tonu)

Every day seems to get busier and the spirit of the season can get lost in the hassle and bustle of each day. Pay attention to the special moments throughout your break or nice interactions at work. Practise mindfulness and savour the good moments.

Another good antidote is to take some time to learn more about what your body is telling you. If you’re feeling overwhelmed and exhausted – pause, breathe in, breathe out. You could also:

• Take notice of the pohutukawa flowers changing, or the night sky.
• Go somewhere you’ve always been meaning to visit in your local area.
• Find out other ways to be mindful (Mental Health Foundation).

Keep learning (me ako tonu)

Seek out new experiences or try something new this festive season – as learning is good for the brain!

• Read up on what fruit and veggies are in season, or learn about what natural resources you have in your backyard.
• Download this handy backyard treasure hunt chart and see what you can find.
• You really can learn something new each day – share or learn stories with your family, go on a bush walk, learn about the natural environment from your tablet or local library, or take a trip to a zoo or the botanical gardens.
• Make a new year’s resolution to learn a new language.

Be active (me kori tonu)

Getting outside and exercising is good for your overall health and wellbeing, It is especially important while we’re indulging in so much delicious food!

• Have a lunch break outside.
• Design a treasure hunt for your friends and family.
• Get the whanāu out and play some games at the beach or on the lawn.
• Go for a run or walk – on your own, with a friend or your whānau.
• Take the dog for a walk.

There are ways to bring activity into all you do – by using the stairs instead of the elevator, getting off the bus one stop earlier, or catching up with a friend for a walk instead of a coffee.

• Find out more about the five ways to wellbeing.

Adapted from: Mental Health Foundation website.