In the news: Doctors say a surge in whooping cough cases shows how much immunisation rates need to improve.

Immunisation Advisory Centre New Zealand senior Māori  medical advisor Dr Mae David told Radio New Zealand's Morning Report that low immunisation rates leave NZ pēpi (infants) vulnerable to severe disease, especially if a national epidemic of pertussis occurs. 

Dr David was speaking as one of the co authors of the Briefing - Increasing whooping cough cases put pēpi at risk. What can be done about it?

She was also interviewed by Dale Husband on Radio Waatea. She explained that the best time for tamariki to be immunised is through their pregnant mama in the second trimester. "That's the time when the greatest of antibodies cross the whenua/placenta into pēpi so that pēpi is well protected."

Co author Dr Nikki Turner was also interviewed by NewstalkZB and Mediaworks.