Whooping Cough Vaccination
In Australia, whooping cough (pertussis) is a highly contagious respiratory infection that poses serious health risks, especially to infants. It is marked by severe, uncontrollable coughing fits and is named after the distinctive “whoop” sound some people make when inhaling, though this sound doesn’t occur in all cases.
The combined whooping cough vaccine (DTPa), which also protects against diphtheria and tetanus, is the most effective defence against pertussis.
The whooping cough vaccination is available through the National Immunisation Program (NIP)
The National Immunisation Program (NIP) provides free^ whooping cough vaccines in pharmacies to:
Pregnant women (preferably between 20-32 weeks of pregnancy) and to
Adolescents aged 12-13 years (if routine school-based vaccination was not possible)
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Your questions answered
What is whooping cough?
Whooping cough (also known as pertussis) is a contagious respiratory infection that causes severe, uncontrollable coughing that can make it hard to breathe. Whooping cough gets its name from the high-pitched ‘whoop’ sound that is made when taking a breath in, although this sound is not always obvious.
Epidemics of whooping cough occur every 3 to 4 years in Australia, and while there is no clear seasonal pattern, notified cases generally peak during early November.
Whooping cough can affect people of all ages, but it is most serious for infants under the age of 6 months, as they have soft airways that can be damaged by violent bouts of coughing.2One in every 200 babies who are infected with whooping cough under the age of six months dies from the condition.
What is the whooping cough (DTPa) vaccination?
The whooping cough vaccination is an inactivated vaccine that is given as a series of vaccinations to protect against diphtheria, tetanus, and pertussis.
Diphtheria and pertussis spread from person to person. Tetanus enters the body through cuts or wounds.
DIPHTHERIA (D) is a bacterial infection that is easily spread. It can cause breathing difficulties, skin sores, or inflammation of the heart or nerves.
TETANUS (T) is a dangerous disease caused by a bacterium present in contaminated soil, dust or animal manure. It that enters the body through cuts or open wounds. It can cause painful muscle spasms, lockjaw, as well as difficulty swallowing and breathing.
PERTUSSIS (Pa), also known as whooping cough, is a bacterial infection spread through droplets from coughing or sneezing. Severe coughing and trouble breathing occur, which can be life threatening in babies.
How long does the whooping cough vaccine last?
The effectiveness of the whooping cough vaccine reduces over time, which is why booster vaccinations are important. Vaccination against whooping cough is recommended for children at 2, 4, 6 and 18 months, and then again at 4 years.
In children who miss a booster at 18 months of age, the effectiveness of three doses of vaccine progressively declines after the age of two and is less than 50% by the age of four.
In adults and adolescents, the level of whooping cough antibodies decreases to, or is close to, pre-vaccination levels 10 years after vaccination.
What causes whooping cough?
Whooping cough is caused by the bacteria Bordetella pertussis, which is spread from person to person through airborne droplets when an infected person coughs or sneezes.
Even if you have been vaccinated against whooping cough, you can still be infected. However, your symptoms are likely to be less severe than someone who is not vaccinated.
How long is whooping cough infectious for?
People with whooping cough are infectious for three weeks after the cough starts, or until five days after beginning a course of antibiotics.
Because whooping cough is highly infectious, it’s important to stay home from childcare, school or work to avoid passing the infection onto others.
How often do you need a whooping cough vaccination?
Whooping cough vaccination is recommended for children at 2, 4, 6 and 18 months of age, and then again at four years. Adolescents should receive a booster dose between the ages of 11 and 13, and adults should have a booster at ages 50 and 65 years and over.
Pregnant women should receive a whooping cough vaccination in each pregnancy to help protect their baby.
Do I need a booster?
Immunity against whooping cough fades over time. If you haven't had a whooping cough vaccination in the past 10 years, you will be less protected against infection.
Ask your GP whether you’re up to date – and if not, book your booster. Doing this will help boost your defence and help protect the young ones in your circle of family and friends.
Whooping cough symptoms
There are two stages of whooping cough.
The first stage
The first lot of symptoms can last for one to two weeks and are similar to those of a common cold. They may include:
runny or blocked nose
sneezing
irritated or sore throat
dry cough
watery eyes
feeling generally unwell
slightly raised temperature
The second stage
This stage (also called the paroxysmal stage) is where intense bouts of coughing (paroxysms) begin.
Coughing bouts can last between one and two minutes, but sometimes there may be several bouts in quick succession lasting several minutes. Coughing is usually worse at night.
This phase usually lasts for around two weeks, although it can last as long as 3 months, even after treatment, as the cough may remain after the bacteria have been eliminated.
Symptoms may involve:
intense coughing
a ‘whoop’ sound with every intake of breath, although this may not happen for everyone
vomiting after coughing, especially in infants and young children
fainting after coughing
coughing so violently that it can break a rib
Who is at risk of whooping cough?
Whooping cough can affect anyone.
However, those who are most at risk of catching the infection are:
babies under six months (this is because babies don’t complete their primary course of vaccination against whooping cough until they are six months old). enough to be fully vaccinated
people living with someone who is infected
pregnant or breastfeeding women
people who travel
healthcare workers and early childhood educators
those who have not had a whooping cough booster within the last 10 years
people over 65 years of age who have not had a booster within the past 10 years
How is whooping cough diagnosed?
Diagnosing whooping cough involves a physical examination by a doctor. Blood tests or swabs of mucus from the back of the nose or throat may also be used to confirm the diagnosis.7
How is whooping cough treated?
If whooping cough is diagnosed in the first few weeks, treatment may involve a course of antibiotics to prevent the infection from spreading further.
If a diagnosis is made during the later stages, antibiotics may not be prescribed as the bacteria causing the infection will most likely have gone by this stage.
If the infection is caught early, other members of the household may also be prescribed antibiotics as a precautionary measure, even if they are fully vaccinated.
Sometimes it may be necessary to go to the hospital for treatment. As whooping cough in infants under six months can be life-threatening, they are almost always treated in a hospital.
Treatment may involve intravenous antibiotics or oxygen to assist with breathing.
To prevent the spread of whooping cough to other people, you should:
stay at home to prevent the spread of infection while you are infectious
cover your mouth and nose when you cough and sneeze
wash your hands often
What are the complications of whooping cough?
Whooping cough can have some serious complications, particularly in infants under six months of age, where it can also be fatal, especially for babies.
Serious complications may include:
brain damage
pneumonia
seizures
bleeding on the brain
slowed or stopped breathing
convulsions
Complications for older children and adults may involve:
sleeping difficulties
urinary incontinence
pneumonia
broken ribs, caused by the coughing
Who should be vaccinated from whooping cough?
Healthcare workers, early childhood educators and carers should be vaccinated against whooping cough every 10 years.
Travellers should also be vaccinated if their last booster was more than 10 years ago.
Adult household contacts or carers of infants aged less than six months should be vaccinated at least 2 weeks before having close contact with an infant.
When should you see your doctor?
You should visit your doctor if you think you or your child has whooping cough or has been exposed to someone with the infection, even if you or your child are fully vaccinated.
If someone in your household is struggling to breathe or their lips begin to turn blue, call an ambulance (000) immediately.
Where do you get the whooping cough vaccine?
Whooping cough vaccines for children are available at GP clinics and some antenatal clinics. Adolescents can receive the whooping cough vaccination through a school-based immunisation program.
Whooping cough vaccination is also available at MediADVICE for adults, pregnant women (ideally 20-32 weeks), and adolescents who did not receive their vaccination at school. Book an appointment at your nearest MediADVICE pharmacy.
Can you prevent whooping cough?
The best way to prevent whooping cough is to be vaccinated. While it is still possible to catch the disease, symptoms are usually less severe.
Vaccination against whooping cough is recommended as part of routine childhood immunisation and is usually given in six doses at the ages of:
two months
four months
six months
18 months
four years
between 11 and 13 years of age
Vaccines are often given in combination with other vaccines, as part of the National Immunisation Program.
It is also recommended that some people receive a booster vaccination every 10 years. These include:
early childcare workers and educators
healthcare workers
pregnant women (from 20 weeks of gestation), in every pregnancy
family members, including grandparents, of infants under six months of age
all adults 65 years and older
people who travel
people who have had whooping cough in the past
anyone who wants to reduce their likelihood of becoming ill with the disease
Book a combination whooping cough vaccine (DTPa) that protects against diphtheria, tetanus, and pertussis.
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Whooping cough vaccination during pregnancy
It’s recommended that pregnant women receive a single dose of pertussis vaccine in each pregnancy, as this reduces the risk of whooping cough in infants by 90%.
The optimal time for vaccination is between 20 and 32 weeks of gestation (mid-second trimester to early third trimester).
Learn more about whooping cough
About Immunisation Foundation of Australia
The Immunisation Foundation of Australia was established by the family of Riley Hughes, who have become vocal advocates of immunisation after the death of their son from whooping cough in 2015.
Believing in the importance of parents and community-members standing up to support immunisation, the foundation’s mission is to inspire further community-based immunisation advocacy, helping to protect babies and families from vaccine-preventable diseases.
The Immunisation Foundation of Australia envisions a world where families are no longer affected by the unnecessary suffering and death caused by vaccine-preventable diseases.
To help make this vision a reality, we are committed to creating a network of community-based immunisation champions, who share our common values of respect, integrity and evidence-based advocacy.
For more information, please visit www.ifa.org.au