Front-line health workers who deal with babies will be offered free whooping cough vaccinations in an effort to stop the disease spreading.
The figure of 876 notified cases of whooping cough from January to August was four times higher than during the same period the previous year.
Health Minister Tony Ryall says from October, free immunisations will be offered to Plunket nurses, GPs, Well Child workers, practice nurses and midwives.
Mr Ryall says whooping cough can be easily spread from adults to infants - many of whom have not yet been immunised.
