Calls to keep vaccinating against whooping cough - with case numbers now topping a thousand

Health New Zealand's reported 77 cases across the country last week - including four hospitalisations,

That brings the total number of cases this year to 1009, of these, 63 were children under one year old.

Public Health Medicine Specialist Dr Matt Reid says Maori and Pacific babies, and newborns under 6 weeks are at especially high risk.

He says getting vaccinated during pregnancy can pass immunity on to the baby .