People working with children under the age of six months should continue to be offered the whooping cough vaccine because of the low take-up rate among expectant mothers.

The health advisory council (Gezondheidsraad) recommended giving the jab to medical staff in pediatric and neonatal departments, as well as those working in accident and emergency.

Since 2019 women have been eligible for a whooping cough vaccine when they are 22 weeks pregnant, but only around 70% have taken up the offer. Women are not sent reminders, as happens with childhood vaccinations, but are expected to make an appointment.

The overall vaccination rate for children under two dropped below 90% last year, well below the World Health Organisation’s target of 95%.

The Gezondheidsraad advised the government to vaccinate healthcare workers seven years ago, but it had hoped that vaccinating pregnant women would mean staff no longer needed the jab.

It said young children were still not adequately protected against whooping cough, which can lead to serious complications or death for the youngest babies. “The purpose of vaccinating staff is to protect this group,” the council wrote in its advice to the social affairs ministry.