Whooping cough (pertussis) is a contagious bacterial respiratory infection that can cause severe disease. Whooping cough is most serious in babies under 12 months of age. In young babies less than 6 months of age, the symptoms can be severe or life threatening. It typically presents as a persistent cough, often worse at night. 

Free pertussis vaccine under the National Immunisation Program

• Vaccinate infants and children on time:
• at 6 weeks, 4 months & 6 months
• at 18 months 
• at 4 years 
• at Year 7 (age equivalent) 
• Offer all pregnant women diphtheria-tetanus-pertussis vaccine between 20-32 weeks' gestation in each pregnancy to provide passive immunity at birth to their infant.
• Catch-up vaccination to people under 20 years if the vaccine was not given during childhood and to refugees and humanitarian entrants aged 20 years and over.

Other vaccination recommendations

Pertussis vaccination is also recommended for the following adults:

• Adult household contacts and carers of infants <6 months of age are recommended to receive dTpa vaccine at least 2 weeks before they have close contact with the infant if their last dose was more than 10 years ago
• Adults working with or caring for very young babies, and health care workers every 10 years 
• Adults aged 50 years if they have not received tetanus-containing vaccine in the last 10 years  
• Adults aged 65 years and over if they have not received whooping cough containing vaccine in the last 10 years.  This is because whooping cough is associated with increased morbidity in older people.
• Any adult who requires a tetanus-containing vaccine if they have not received a pertussis-containing vaccine previously.  

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