Whooping cough vaccination during pregnancy
“”Whooping cough vaccination is needed for each pregnancy
Whooping cough and pregnancy
Whooping cough, also known as pertussis, is a lung infection caused by bacteria (Bordetella pertussis). It is very easy to catch and pass on.
Whooping cough can affect people of any age. It can cause serious and sometimes life-threatening health issues in babies and young children, especially those who are not fully vaccinated.
When babies catch whooping cough, the symptoms can be serious. Young babies could get pneumonia (lung infection), have coughing fits and many have trouble breathing. Many babies who get whooping cough end up in hospital, and sadly, some of these babies die.
The Australian National Health and Medical Research Council recommends pregnant women are vaccinated against whooping cough in their third trimester (preferably between 28 and 32 weeks) in every pregnancy.
Women should get the whooping cough vaccination during every pregnancy in their third trimester (preferably between 28 and 32 weeks) to protect baby, even if they have had the vaccine before.
Protecting mum, protecting baby
Whooping cough vaccination for pregnant women helps in two ways:
Mum is protected
It helps protect mum from catching whooping cough and passing it on to baby. After getting vaccinated, mum’s body creates antibodies which protect her from whooping cough and reduces the risk of passing it on to baby.
Baby is protected
Babies born to mothers who have been vaccinated against whooping cough in pregnancy have more antibodies against the disease than babies whose mothers weren’t vaccinated.
Mum’s antibodies are passed to baby across the placenta soon after she is vaccinated. The antibodies can protect baby after birth until they are old enough to get vaccinated from 6 weeks. These antibodies can also protect baby from some serious health problems caused by whooping cough, such as pneumonia and encephalopathy (disease of the brain).
Safe for mum, safe for baby
The whooping cough vaccine is an inactivated vaccine, so it is safe for pregnant women and their babies.
Studies show that there is no increased risk of stillbirth, foetal distress, low birth weight or other health risks for women who are vaccinated against whooping cough during pregnancy.*
The benefits of vaccination during pregnancy are well recognised and all Australian health departments fund the vaccine for pregnant women. It is also promoted and used for pregnant women in New Zealand, United States, UK and Canada.
*Sukumaran L, McCarthy NL, Kharbanda EO, et al. Association of Tdap Vaccination With Acute Events and Adverse Birth Outcomes Among Pregnant Women With Prior Tetanus-Containing Immunizations. JAMA.2015;314(15):1581-1587.
Get your free vaccine
The whooping cough vaccine is provided free by Queensland Health to pregnant women in their third trimester (preferably between 28 and 32 weeks).
Make an appointment today:
- with your GP
- via some local councils (ring your local council for details).
Please note: your GP may charge a consultation fee but the vaccine will be free.
I have had whooping cough before, do I still need to get vaccinated?
Yes. Anyone who has had whooping cough before can still become reinfected and spread the infection to others, including baby.
Can I be vaccinated against whooping cough and the flu at the same time?
Yes. You can get vaccinated for whooping cough and the flu at the same time or at different times during your pregnancy.
The flu vaccine is different each year and is usually available from April (but check with your GP when making an appointment).
While whooping cough vaccination is given in the third trimester (preferably between 28 and 32 weeks) in each pregnancy, you can be vaccinated for the flu at any time during pregnancy. Pregnant women should not wait until they are 28 weeks to have the flu vaccination.
Find out more