Whooping cough vaccine
Offered during pregnancy to help protect your baby against whooping cough.
Whooping cough (also known as pertussis) is a disease that can be very serious for babies. It’s a highly contagious bacterial infection that can last for up to 3 months. It can lead to life threatening complications.
When you get the whooping cough vaccine, your body makes antibodies. These are what your body uses to fight whooping cough. These antibodies will transfer from you to your unborn baby through the placenta. This helps protect your baby in the first weeks of life.
Read more about why you should get the whooping cough vaccine
Who can get the whooping cough vaccine
In Scotland, the whooping cough vaccine is offered to everyone who is pregnant. You should have the vaccine every time you’re pregnant.
You’ll be offered the vaccine from week 16 of your pregnancy. The ideal time to have the vaccine is between 16 and 32 weeks.
It’s better to get the whooping cough vaccine as soon as possible. You may still have the vaccine after 32 weeks but it will not offer your baby the same level of protection.
How to get the whooping cough vaccine
Each Scottish health board runs their vaccine programme differently. This is so they can deliver vaccines in the way that best suits local communities.
Speak to your midwife to find out how to get your whooping cough vaccine.
Whooping cough vaccine side effects
The whooping cough vaccine is safe and effective. But, like all medicines, it can cause side effects. These are usually mild.
After the vaccine, it’s common to see redness and feel tenderness where you had the vaccine. You may also experience:
- a fever
- irritation at the injection site
- swelling of the vaccinated arm
- loss of appetite
- a headache
Serious side effects are extremely rare.
About the whooping cough vaccine you’ll be offered
Most people in Scotland will receive the ADACEL vaccine to help protect against whooping cough.
This vaccine protects against 3 different diseases:
- whooping cough (pertussis)
- diphtheria
- tetanus
There is no whooping cough only vaccine currently available.
Some people may be offered the Boostrix-IPV or REPEVAX vaccines if they cannot have ADACEL. Your midwife will be able to advise about which vaccine is right for you.
Read more about the vaccines used to protect against whooping cough
Whooping cough vaccine information in other languages and formats
Public Health Scotland has produced information leaflets about the whooping cough vaccine. These leaflets are available in multiple languages and formats.
Read about the whooping cough vaccine in other languages and formats
Vaccine Safety Net
Public Health Scotland is a proud member of the Vaccine Safety Net and partners with NHS inform to provide reliable information on vaccine safety.
The Vaccine Safety Net is a global network of websites, evaluated by the World Health Organization, that provides reliable information on vaccine safety.
More about the Vaccine Safety Net