Dutch doctors have warned parents not to delay vaccinating their children against whooping cough, caused by Bordetella pertussis, as serious cases could require hospital treatment and may result in death. The Dutch Paediatrics Association emphasises that eight children have died in the Netherlands from whooping cough since 1996. None had been vaccinated.

Fears about delayed vaccination have arisen because, although a more effective vaccine with fewer adverse reactions is to be introduced as part of the national vaccination programme, this will not happen until 2005, as stocks have to be imported.

The introduction has coincided with a new whooping …