Whooping cough (Pertussis)
Whooping cough is a bacterial infection of the respiratory tract that causes coughing, that in infants can come with a characteristic “whoop” as they breath in, a well as fever, sore throat and increased production of mucus. This vaccine is only for pregnant women who want to protect their children against whooping cough in the first few months before the child can get vaccinated themselves.
The whooping cough vaccination can be given to clients over ten years old and :
- To pregnant clients to protect their new-born babies from whooping cough
- To individuals who had contact with others who have the condition and had their last vaccination more than five years ago.
- Boosting may be needed for work in the USA or Australia or when residing in these countries long term.
- For travellers to areas with a recent outbreak of whooping cough and who had their previous dose of the vaccination more than ten years ago.
- For those who have had the whooping cough vaccination more than 10 years ago and are often in close contact with young children or pregnant women