Whooping Cough Immunisation in Pregnancy: A Simple Step to Protect Your Baby’s Life
Free, safe, and strongly recommended between 20–32 weeks of every pregnancy
At Walker Street Doctors, we’re committed to making sure you and your baby are protected from the very beginning. One of the most important—and easy—ways to do this is with the whooping cough (pertussis) vaccine, known as Boostrix®.
This vaccine is free under the National Immunisation Program and should be given between 20 and 32 weeks of every pregnancy—even if your pregnancies are close together.
Why is whooping cough such a big deal?
Whooping cough is highly contagious and can cause severe coughing fits. In adults, it’s often mild. But in babies—especially newborns under 6 weeks of age—it can lead to serious complications, breathing difficulty, and even death.
Newborns can't receive their own whooping cough vaccine until 6 weeks of age. That’s why it’s critical for you to get vaccinated during pregnancy—so your body can create protective antibodies and pass them to your baby via the placenta.
💡 Vaccinating during pregnancy gives your baby early protection during those first vulnerable weeks of life.
When should I have the vaccine?
The ideal time to have your whooping cough vaccine is between 20 and 32 weeks of pregnancy.
For most women, we recommend having it at 28 weeks—but if you’re at risk of early delivery, it can be given from 20 weeks.
If you haven't had the vaccine by 32 weeks, don’t worry—you should still have it as soon as possible, even up until delivery. Every week counts in helping your body build and transfer antibodies to your baby.
Is Boostrix® safe in pregnancy?
Yes. Studies involving more than 40,000 pregnant women have shown that the whooping cough vaccine is safe and well tolerated, with only mild side effects like arm soreness or redness.
It does not increase the risk of pregnancy complications like premature delivery or low birth weight.
Do I need the vaccine in every pregnancy?
Yes. Protection fades over time, so a dose is recommended during each and every pregnancy, even if your last pregnancy was only a year or two ago.
What about my partner and family?
Close contacts—especially partners, grandparents, and anyone spending time with your newborn—should also be up to date with their whooping cough vaccination.
If it’s been more than 10 years since their last dose, they should have a booster at least 2 weeks before meeting your baby.
Also check that your older children are up to date with their childhood immunisations—this protects both them and your newborn.
Can I have this with other pregnancy vaccines?
Absolutely. We often coordinate Boostrix alongside your flu and RSV vaccines for convenience and better protection.
Ready to book?
We offer the Boostrix vaccine as part of your routine pregnancy care. It’s free, safe, and quick—and could save your baby’s life.
📅 Book online or speak to us at your next appointment to schedule your vaccination.
Still have questions?
We’re always happy to talk through your vaccination plan. Our team of GPs and nurses are here to support you through every stage of pregnancy.
