More babies are catching Whooping Cough (pertussis)

Whooping cough (pertussis) rates have risen recently. Babies who are too young to start their vaccinations are at greatest risk.

Whooping cough can be serious for babies and may lead to complications resulting in hospitalisation and even death.

Pregnant women can help protect their babies by getting vaccinated.

You should usually have the whooping cough vaccine around the time of your mid-pregnancy scan (usually at 20 weeks pregnant), but you can have it from 16 weeks.

To help give the best protection to your baby, you should have the vaccine before 32 weeks. If you miss out, you can still have the vaccine later.

The Whooping Cough vaccination in pregnancy helps to protect your baby until they can have their first immunisations at 8 weeks old.

To book your appointment for Whooping Cough Vaccination, contact your GP surgery or your midwife!