Whooping Cough Vaccination
Whooping cough, or pertussis, can be a serious disease for people of all ages but especially for babies. Whooping cough vaccines offer the best protection against this very contagious disease.
Make sure you and your loved ones are up to date with your whooping cough vaccines.
Two vaccines in the United States help prevent whooping cough: DTaP and Tdap. These vaccines also provide protection against tetanus and diphtheria.
CDC recommends whooping cough vaccines for people of all ages
The vaccine recommended for someone depends on their age.
- Babies and young children should get five shots of DTaP between the ages of 2 months and 6 years.
- Older children and teens should get one shot of Tdap between the ages of 11 and 12 years.
- Women should get Tdap during the early part of the 3rd trimester of each pregnancy.
- All adults who have never received one should get a shot of Tdap.
Learn more about CDC’s whooping cough vaccine recommendations.
Whooping cough vaccines are safe
Most people who get a whooping cough vaccine do not have any serious problems with it. However, side effects can occur. Most side effects are mild, meaning they do not affect daily activities.
Learn about the most common side effects of whooping cough vaccines:
- Take steps to prevent whooping cough: Prevention
- Learn about whooping cough vaccination: What Everyone Should Know
- Find out when you or your child need vaccines: Vaccination Schedules
- Get help paying for your child’s vaccines: Vaccines for Children Program
CDC recommends all women get a whooping cough vaccine during each pregnancy. Learn more about whooping cough vaccination during pregnancy.