Is the whooping cough vaccine safe?
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Why do I need the whooping cough vaccine in pregnancy?
When will I get the whooping cough vaccine?
Which whooping cough vaccine will I get?
What are the side effects of the whooping cough vaccine?
Will the vaccine give me whooping cough?
Will my baby still need to be vaccinated at 2 months if I've had the vaccine while pregnant?
Why do I need the whooping cough vaccine in pregnancy?
Whooping cough is a severe infection. It causes coughing and choking, making it hard to breathe. Most babies with whooping cough have to be treated in hospital and for some it is life-threatening.
Getting vaccinated while you're pregnant will help protect your baby from whooping cough in the first few weeks of their life.
The immunity you get from the vaccine passes through the placenta to your unborn baby. This will help protect them until they are vaccinated at 2 months old.
When will I get the whooping cough vaccine?
You will be offered a whooping cough vaccination by your midwife or doctor. The best time to get vaccinated to protect your baby is from week 16 of pregnancy up to 32 weeks of pregnancy.
You can also have it done with your flu vaccine, if this is due at around the same time.
If you miss the whooping cough vaccination for any reason, you can still have it up until you go into labour. This isn’t as ideal because the vaccine may not directly protect your baby as well. But it will help protect you from whooping cough and from passing it on to your baby.
Which whooping cough vaccine will I get?
There’s no whooping cough only vaccine. You’ll be offered a vaccine that protects against whooping cough and other illnesses.
Most people are offered the ADACEL vaccine, that protects against whooping cough, diphtheria and tetanus. If it’s not available, or not suitable for you, you’ll be offered the Boostrix IPV vaccine, which protects against whooping cough, diphtheria, tetanus and polio.
Don't worry if you are already up to date with your routine vaccinations including diphtheria and tetanus - this combined vaccine can still be given.
Is the vaccine safe?
Yes. It’s natural to worry, but there is nothing to suggest that the whooping cough vaccine is unsafe for you or your unborn baby.
The vaccine has been used in the UK since 2012 and there have been no safety concerns for pregnant people or their babies.
A large study of around 20,000 vaccinated people found no increased risk of stillbirth, low birth weight, pre-eclampsia or any other pregnancy complications.
What are the side effects of the whooping cough vaccine?
Mild side effects may include swelling, redness or tenderness in your upper arm where you had the injection. This is normal and harmless and should only last a few days.
Other side effects can include a headache, high temperature, loss of appetite and feeling tired or sick.
Will the vaccine give me whooping cough?
The vaccine will not give you whooping cough. The whooping cough vaccine is not a "live" vaccine. This means it doesn't contain whooping cough.
Will my baby still need to be vaccinated at 2 months if I've had the vaccine while pregnant?
Yes. Your baby will still need to be vaccinated according to the normal NHS vaccination schedule when they reach 2 months old.
Want to know more?
You can talk to your doctor or midwife if you have any more questions about the whooping cough vaccine.
Find out more about vaccinations in pregnancy.
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