Whooping Cough Vaccination

Introduction

Whooping cough is also known as pertussis. It is a type of respiratory infection that is highly contagious. The main symptom is bouts of severe coughing, which may continue over two or three months, sometimes even longer. The condition is particularly dangerous for very young children, and in rare cases, it may even lead to death.

Who is eligible for a whooping cough vaccine?

Pregnant women are offered the whooping cough vaccine so that their newborns can be protected until they are old enough to be vaccinated in their own right. The whooping cough vaccine is part of the National Immunisation Schedule.

Travel precautions

Outbreaks of whooping cough do still occur in some parts of the world, and babies and children need to be vaccinated to protect them from infection. In some countries, including Australia, proof that you have received a booster vaccination for whooping cough is a mandatory requirement for any adult who wants to visit a newborn baby.

The contagious period for whooping cough begins approximately six days after infection and will typically last for around three weeks after the presentation of active coughing symptoms. The standard recommendation is to avoid travel if at all possible during the contagious period. The transmission rate for whooping cough is high.

If women did not receive the whooping cough vaccine during pregnancy, but they have a baby under the age of 2-months-old, they may be eligible for the vaccination service.

Your GP will be able to tell you if you are eligible for a free whooping cough vaccine through the NHS.

What are the symptoms of whooping cough?

Whooping cough may initially present similarly to a common cold:

. Mild cough

. Sore throat

. Runny nose

. Sneezing

. Red, watery eyes

. High temperature

. Irritability

It is normally about a week before more intense coughing begins. Sometimes, coughing will be accompanied by a red face and gasping for breath. This gasping can lead to the “whoop” sound that gives the condition its name, though it is not universal to all cases.

Coughing bouts often result in the production of thick mucus that can, in turn, lead to vomiting. Difficulty breathing may lead to cyanosis, or turning blue, for some babies and younger children.

Is whooping cough contagious?

There is a high risk of whooping cough spreading between individuals who are in close contact. Coughing and sneezing in particular causes infected droplets to fly through the air. The period with the highest risk of contagion is in the two weeks after coughing symptoms begin.

Parents, siblings and caregivers may be unaware that they are infected, but still transmit the condition to younger children and babies.

Does the whooping cough vaccination have any side effects?

Around 10% of whooping cough vaccination lead to side effects such as:

. Pain, redness or swelling at the infection site

. Tiredness

. Lack of energy

. Headaches

. Swollen or aching joints

. Chills

. Fever

. Nausea

Less common side effects, impacting about 1% of people, include:

. Rash

. Muscle pain

. Stomach pains

. Diarrhoea

. Vomiting

. Hardness or itchiness at the injection site