Update 23 October 2024

Reported cases of whooping cough per week have shown a downward trend since 18 September. In the past five weeks, about 663 cases of whooping cough (pertussis) were reported, 19 of which were babies. The total number of reported cases of whooping cough with a first day of illness in 2024 has now reached 17,503. This includes 813 babies. No new deaths from whooping cough were reported to RIVM in recent weeks. Earlier this year, RIVM received reports of 6 deceased babies.  In addition, 2 people over the age of 70 also died, as well as 1 person over 60.

Hospital admissions and vaccination

Slightly more than half of babies aged 0 through 5 months with whooping cough were admitted to hospital. About 20% of babies aged 6-11 months went to hospital. 82% of the babies aged 0–2 months with whooping cough whose vaccination status is known were not protected by maternal vaccination during pregnancy. A few babies of vaccinated mothers who contracted whooping cough were born prematurely. For some others, the vaccination had been administered too close to birth. Vaccination during pregnancy offers very good protection against whooping cough infection in babies aged 0–2 months (85–91%). Of the babies between 4 and 11 months with a known vaccination status who were reported to have whooping cough, 86% were not vaccinated (or had not yet had all the scheduled vaccinations for their age).

Data from the primary care database maintained by Nivel  - the Netherlands Institute for Health Services Research - shows that the total number of GP consultations for whooping cough symptoms has returned to the usual level from before the COVID-19 pandemic. 

Update 24 July 2024

In the past four weeks, nearly 2,000 cases of pertussis (whooping cough) were reported, around eighty of which were babies. The drop in the number of confirmed cases of pertussis reported by RIVM last month appears to slowly continue in most age groups, the one exception being babies.  The total number of confirmed cases of pertussis starting in 2024 has now risen to 14,830. This number includes 713 babies. Earlier this year, RIVM received reports of five deceased babies. Another two people over the age of seventy also died. It was reported in July that a sixth baby had died from pertussis.

Hospitalisation and vaccination

Of babies between 0 and 5 months suffering from pertussis, a few more than half were admitted to a hospital. For babies between 6 and 11 months, this number was less than a quarter. Of the reported babies between 0 and 2 months with a known vaccination status, 89% were not protected by their mothers being vaccinated during pregnancy. Some babies of vaccinated mothers who contracted pertussis were born prematurely. In others, the vaccination had been administered too close to birth. Vaccination during pregnancy offers a high level of protection against pertussis infection in babies between 0 and 2 months (85-92%). Of the reported babies between 4 and 12 months with a known vaccination status, 86% were not vaccinated (not given the full dose for their age).

Figures from the primary care database maintained by Nivel  - the Netherlands Institute for Health Services Research - appear to show a drop in the total number of GP visits for pertussis complaints in all age groups. 

Update 29 May 2024

The number of people with whooping cough in the Netherlands reported to RIVM every week is still high. More than 1,600 whooping cough cases were reported the past two weeks, including 0 infants. These figures are very high compared to recorded figures for every year since whooping cough was designated as a notifiable disease in 1975.

Since January there have been a total of 10.270 reported cases of whooping cough, including 497 infants. More than half of babies aged 0-5 months who have whooping cough were admitted to hospital. Just over one-quarter of babies aged 6-11 months went to hospital. 91% of babies aged 0-2 months who were reported to have whooping cough, and whose vaccination status is known, were not protected by maternal vaccination during pregnancy. Several of the babies with whooping cough who were born to vaccinated mothers had been born prematurely, or there had not been enough time between the vaccination and the birth. Vaccination during pregnancy offers very good protection against whooping cough infection in babies aged 0-2 months (90-95%). 83% of babies aged 3-11 months who were reported to have whooping cough, and whose vaccination status is known, were not vaccinated, or had not yet received all the immunisations scheduled for their age group.

In the past two week no death due to whooping cough were reported. Previously this year, the deaths of four babies and two person over 70 years old with whooping cough were reported to RIVM.

Data from the primary care database maintained by Nivel  - the Netherlands Institute for Health Services Research - shows downward trend of patients with whooping cough symptoms visiting the GP.

Update 15 May 2024

The number of people with whooping cough in the Netherlands reported to RIVM every week is still high. More than 1,400 whooping cough cases were reported the past two weeks, including 50 infants. These figures are very high compared to recorded figures for every year since whooping cough was designated as a notifiable disease in 1975.

From 1 January to 13 May 2024, there have been a total of 8.625 reported cases of whooping cough, including 426 infants. More than half of babies aged 0-5 months who have whooping cough were admitted to hospital. Just over one-quarter of babies aged 6-11 months went to hospital. 90% of babies aged 0-2 months who were reported to have whooping cough, and whose vaccination status is known, were not protected by maternal vaccination during pregnancy. Several of the babies with whooping cough who were born to vaccinated mothers had been born prematurely, or there had not been enough time between the vaccination and the birth. Vaccination during pregnancy offers very good protection against whooping cough infection in babies aged 0-2 months (90-95%). 85% of babies aged 3-11 months who were reported to have whooping cough, and whose vaccination status is known, were not vaccinated, or had not yet received all the immunisations scheduled for their age group. 

In the second half of April 2024, RIVM received a report that someone over 70 years old who had whooping cough had died.  Previously this year, the deaths of four babies and one person over 80 years old with whooping cough were reported to RIVM.

Data from the primary care database maintained by Nivel  - the Netherlands Institute for Health Services Research - shows that, after two weeks of a downward trend, the number of patients with whooping cough symptoms visiting the GP is rising again, especially among young children aged 0-4 years.  

Update 1 May 2024

The number of people with whooping cough in the Netherlands reported to RIVM every week is still very high. Echoing the trend of the first two weeks of April, more than 1,800 whooping cough cases were reported the past two weeks, including 50 infants. These figures are very high compared to recorded figures for every year since whooping cough was designated as a notifiable disease in 1975. Most of these people were already ill before the beginning of April.

From 1 January to 29 April 2024, there have been a total of 7,817 reported cases of whooping cough, including 375 infants. More than half of babies aged 0-5 months who have whooping cough were admitted to hospital. Just over one-quarter of babies aged 6-11 months went to hospital. 90% of babies aged 0-2 months who were reported to have whooping cough, and whose vaccination status is known, were not protected by maternal vaccination during pregnancy. Several of the babies with whooping cough who were born to vaccinated mothers had been born prematurely, or there had not been enough time between the vaccination and the birth. Vaccination during pregnancy offers very good protection against whooping cough infection in babies aged 0-2 months (90-95%). 88% of babies aged 3-11 months who were reported to have whooping cough, and whose vaccination status is known, were not vaccinated, or had not yet received all the immunisations scheduled for their age group.

In the second half of April 2024, RIVM received a report that someone over 70 years old who had whooping cough had died.  Previously this year, the deaths of four babies and one person over 80 years old with whooping cough were reported to RIVM.

Data from the primary care database maintained by Nivel  - the Netherlands Institute for Health Services Research - shows that, after two weeks of a downward trend, the number of patients with whooping cough symptoms visiting the GP is rising again, especially among young children aged 0-4 years. 

17 April 2024: reported cases of whooping cough continue to rise

The number of people with whooping cough in the Netherlands reported to RIVM every week is still continuing to rise. In the first two weeks of April, more than 1,800 whooping cough cases were reported in total, including 50 infants. Most of these people were already ill before the beginning of April.

In 2024, there have been a total of 5,303 reported cases of whooping cough, including 276 infants. These figures are very high compared to previous years, and compared to the years before the COVID-19 pandemic. Nearly half of all babies with whooping cough were admitted to hospital.

Whooping cough cases have been reported all over the country. The number of municipalities where there are babies with whooping cough is still rising. A relatively higher percentage of whooping cough cases (including babies) has been reported in some municipalities in 2024. In April 2024, RIVM also received a report that someone over 80 years old who had whooping cough had died. Previously this year, RIVM received reports of four babies with whooping cough who had died.

Data from the primary care database maintained by Nivel – the Netherlands Institute for Health Services Research shows that GPs have seen fewer patients with whooping cough in the past 1-2 weeks. The number of children visiting the GP with whooping cough symptoms is also gradually decreasing. 

3 April 2024: reported cases of whooping cough still rising 

RIVM is still observing an increase in the number of people with whooping cough reported in the Netherlands. In the first few months of 2024 (January–March), more than 3,600 whooping cough cases were reported in total, including 228 infants. Half of these young children ended up in hospital. Some babies die from the effects of the disease

Vaccinating pregnant people and newborn babies is the main way to prevent severe whooping cough in small babies. A pregnant person who receives the vaccination in time is protected against whooping cough. This maternal whooping cough vaccination (ideally at 22 weeks of pregnancy) also ensures that the baby is protected right from birth. The vaccination prevents whooping cough infection in 9 out of 10 babies under 3 months old. In addition, RIVM still urges people who have a cough and sniffles to avoid contact with people in the late stages of pregnancy and newborn babies.  

15 March 2024: Reported cases still rising and at least four infants have died

The upward trend in reported cases of whooping cough among children is continuing. RIVM had previously expressed concern about the increase. Since then, RIVM has received some 200-300 reports of children with whooping cough every week. At least 20 of these weekly reported cases were infants (children under 1 year old). Approximately half of the babies with whooping cough were admitted to hospital in recent weeks. In February and March, RIVM received notifications of four babies who died from the consequences of whooping cough.

The upward trend in the number of babies with whooping cough has been observed throughout the Netherlands. The increase was previously seen in the ‘Bible belt’. About 85% of the affected babies were not sufficiently protected against whooping cough because the baby and/or the mother were not vaccinated.

Vaccinating pregnant people and newborn babies is the main way to prevent whooping cough. A pregnant person who receives the vaccination in time is protected against whooping cough. This maternal whooping cough vaccination (ideally at 22 weeks of pregnancy) also ensures that the baby is protected right from birth. The vaccination prevents whooping cough infection in 9 out of 10 babies under 3 months old.

In addition, RIVM still urges people who have a cough and sniffles to avoid contact with people in the late stages of pregnancy and newborn babies.