Whooping Cough (Pertussis) Vaccine

Overview

Who Needs This Vaccine?

• 1Pregnant women — ideally between 16 and 32 weeks of pregnancy. This is the most important group, as maternal antibodies cross the placenta and protect the baby in the first weeks of life.
• 2Close contacts of newborns — grandparents, partners, siblings, and carers ('cocooning' strategy).
• 3Adults who have not had a pertussis booster in the last 10 years and work with young children or in healthcare.
• 4Travellers to areas where whooping cough outbreaks are common.

What to Expect

• 1A single injection in the upper arm. The appointment takes approximately 10 minutes.
• 2The vaccine is usually given as a combination that also boosts diphtheria and tetanus protection.
• 3For pregnant women, the optimal timing is between 16 and 32 weeks of each pregnancy.

Side Effects

• 1Very common: mild pain or tenderness at the injection site.
• 2Common: headache, fatigue, or mild fever for 24–48 hours.
• 3Serious side effects are extremely rare. The vaccine is safe in pregnancy — it has been used routinely in the NHS pregnancy programme since 2012.