Call from the Public Health Communication Centre for urgent steps to boost maternal immunisation - particularly for Maori and Pasifika

The whooping cough risk is highest in these groups - but they're less likely to be immunised during pregnancy.

Co-author Dr Esther Willing says immunised pregnant people may be more likely to vaccinate their babies.

She says we have to lift our game and make sure Maori and Pacific children are vaccinated - which could be improved by talking to pregnant mothers.

Four infants under five months old died from whooping cough last year.