What Is Whooping Cough

What is whooping cough?
Whooping cough (also known as pertussis) causes long bouts of coughing and choking, making it
hard to breathe. The whoop noise is caused by gasping for breath after each bout of coughing. But
not all cases will make the whooping sound, which can make it difficult to recognise the disease.
Whooping cough commonly lasts for 2 to 3 months. Whooping cough is easily spread by breathing in
tiny droplets that are released into the air by other peoples coughs and sneezes. Babies under one
year of age are most at risk from whooping cough. For these babies, the disease is very serious and
can lead to pneumonia and permanent brain damage. Babies have already died in the UK because
of this current outbreak.
Why are we seeing more outbreaks?
In 2012, there was an outbreak of whooping cough in Scotland (as well as the rest of the UK). There
were 1,926 cases of whooping cough in Scotland in 2012. The number of cases in 2013 has stayed
at a higher level than has been seen in Scotland over the past ten years. By September 2013 there
were 1,003 cases of whooping cough in Scotland - this is very similar to the 999 cases that were
reported over the same length of time in 2012.
The cause of this increase is being investigated by experts. In the meantime, the important thing is
to protect young babies, who are the most likely to suffer if they catch the disease. We can do this by
immunising women beginning when they are 28 weeks pregnant, with the ideal time being between
weeks 28 and 32. Make an appointment to get immunised every time you are pregnant so that each
baby gets the same protection from you against whooping cough.
Are there any risks to me or my baby if Im immunised while Im pregnant?
The whooping cough vaccine is not a live vaccine so it cant cause whooping cough in those who
have the immunisation, or their babies. There is no evidence of harm from immunising pregnant
women with this type of vaccine. Its much safer for you to have the vaccine than to risk your
newborn baby catching whooping cough.
What is in the vaccine?
You will be given a combined vaccine that protects against four different diseases whooping cough
(pertussis), diphtheria, tetanus and polio as there is currently no single, pertussis-only vaccine
available.
Although the vaccine isnt currently licensed for use in pregnant women, theres no evidence that
theres a risk of harm to you or your baby. Studies from the US of immunising pregnant women
against whooping cough (with a similar type of vaccine to the one used in Scotland) have found no
evidence of risk to pregnant women.
Are there any side effects from being immunised while pregnant?
You may have some mild side effects from the immunisation, such as redness or tenderness where
the vaccine was given (this will be an injection in the upper arm). Serious side effects are extremely
rare, especially in adults.
How does getting immunised during pregnancy protect my baby?
The immunity you get from the vaccine will be passed to your baby across the placenta. Getting
immunised during pregnancy will help protect the baby in the first few vulnerable weeks of life, until
he or she is old enough to have the routine immunisation at 2 months of age.
Babies are offered whooping cough vaccinations at 2, 3 and 4 months of age as part of their routine
immunisations.
How late in pregnancy can I have the vaccine?
Immunisation is recommended from weeks 28 to 38, with the ideal time being between weeks 28
and 32. This provides time for the mothers body to make antibodies and for these to pass across
the placenta to the unborn baby.
If immunisation is given after 38 weeks there may not be enough time for the antibodies to be
produced and passed to the unborn baby, which means the baby wont have protection in the first
weeks of life.
Will the immunisation definitely mean my baby wont get whooping cough?
Because whooping cough is circulating so widely now, your baby will be at greater risk of catching
whooping cough. Although no vaccine guarantees 100% protection, this is likely to be the most
effective way to protect your baby from whooping cough in his or her first weeks of life.
Early signs show that vaccinating pregnant women in Scotland is very effective at reducing the
number of young babies getting whooping cough. Remember that the immunity they receive from
you will wear off, so make sure you bring your baby for their routine immunisations at 2 months of
age when they will receive their first dose of the whooping cough vaccine.
Is there an alternative way to protect my baby from whooping cough?
More young babies have died recently before they are old enough to have their first whooping cough
immunisation.
Having the immunisation during pregnancy provides antibodies that will be passed to the baby so he
or she has some protection in the first few weeks of life when whooping cough is most serious.
How long will my immunisation protect my baby from whooping cough?
The immunity your newborn baby gets from your vaccination will help protect them through the very
early weeks of life. Your baby will still need the full course of three whooping cough immunisations to
protect them as they grow up.
Why cant my baby be immunised as soon as they are born?

A newborn baby is not ready to deal with this vaccine until two months of age, when they will receive
the first of their immunisations to get full protection.
Im expecting twins what should I do?
One immunisation will help protect all your babies, no matter how many you are expecting.
What if I get pregnant again soon after the birth of my baby?
You will be offered the immunisation when you reach week 28 of any pregnancy. Make an
appointment to get immunised every time you are pregnant.
I have a newborn baby but was not immunised when pregnant can I have the vaccine now?
Women who miss out on the immunisation during pregnancy may be offered the vaccine if they have
never previously been immunised against whooping cough, up to when their child receives their first
vaccination. You will only need one dose.
I am going to breastfeed. Wont that protect my baby?
Unfortunately, not enough protection against whooping cough is passed in the breast milk to protect
your baby. Having the vaccine does increase your antibodies that are passed to your baby.
I have other young children do they need to be immunised too?
If you have other young children it is important to make sure that they are up to date with their
immunisations. This will help these children avoid becoming infected with whooping cough and
passing this on to your new baby.
I have heard that I should have the flu vaccine when I am pregnant. Can I have both
vaccines? Should I have them together?
If you are pregnant during the flu season, then you should have the flu vaccine as early as you can
during pregnancy.
If you are over 28 weeks pregnant and you still havent had the flu vaccine, then you can and
should have both vaccines. You can have them at the same time or separately - the vaccines dont
interfere with each other if given together.
What should I do now?
If you are in week 28 of your pregnancy or beyond, please speak to your midwife to find out more or
make an appointment for your whooping cough immunisation with your GP practice.
Where can I get more information?
For more information, talk to your midwife, practice nurse or GP, or call the NHS inform helpline is
open every day 8am - 10pm on 0800 22 44 88(textphone 18001 0800 22 44 88).
The helpline also provides an interpreting service. You can report suspected side effects of vaccines
and medicines through the Yellow Card Scheme. This can be done online by
visiting www.yellowcard.gov.ukor by calling the Yellow Card hotline on 0808 100 3352 (available
Monday to Friday 10 am to 2 pm).

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What is whooping cough?

Why cant my baby be immunised as soon as they are born?

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