How to protect your baby from whooping cough
You may have heard that cases of whooping cough have been rising in the England recently. Whooping cough can affect people of all ages, but it can be very serious for young babies. Here I explain what whooping cough is, why very small babies are most at risk, and how getting vaccinated in pregnancy is the best way to protect your child.
What is whooping cough?
Whooping cough is a bacterial infection in the lungs. The main symptom is coughing. The coughing can go on for a few minutes and make it hard to breathe.
It’s called whooping cough because of the ‘whoop’ sound someone makes when they’re gasping for breath between coughing.
Young babies don’t often make a whooping noise though, which means the condition doesn’t always get picked up straight away.
Whooping cough is very contagious. Babies in their first few weeks of life are more at risk from serious complications from whooping cough, including pneumonia, brain damage, and even death.
Always seek help if your baby has symptoms of whooping cough, or a very bad cough that is getting worse, or if you’ve been in contact with someone with whooping cough. Call your GP or NHS 111 urgently.
How you can protect your baby from whooping cough
You can help protect your baby against whooping cough by having the vaccine while you’re pregnant.
When you’re vaccinated in pregnancy, you develop antibodies against whooping cough. These pass to your baby in the womb through the placenta.
These antibodies protect your newborn baby until they’re old enough to have their own vaccine at eight weeks.
Is the whooping cough vaccination safe?
The pregnancy vaccination programme has been running in the UK since 2012 and has been effectively protecting young babies against whooping cough. Studies both in the UK and worldwide have shown it’s safe for you and your baby.
Vaccination in pregnancy is around 90% effective at protecting your new born from whooping cough. If your baby does catch whooping cough, it will be much less severe if you’ve been vaccinated.
Getting vaccinated also means you benefit from protection against whooping cough, so you’re less likely to catch it yourself and pass it on to your baby.
When to have the whooping cough vaccine
You’ll usually have the vaccine around the time of your 20 week scan. But you can have it any time from 16 weeks.
To give your baby the best protection, it’s best to get vaccinated before 32 weeks. You can still have the vaccine later than this, but it may be less effective the closer you get to your baby’s due date.
Ask your midwife or GP about the whooping cough vaccine and other pregnancy vaccines at your first midwife appointment (booking appointment).
You can get the vaccine at your GP surgery. Some antenatal clinics also offer it.
When will my baby be vaccinated against whooping cough?
Once your baby is born, they’ll be vaccinated against whooping cough at 8, 12 and 16 weeks of age as part of the NHS vaccination programme.
Your baby will be given the 6-in-1 vaccine which protects your baby against whooping cough and five other serious illnesses.
Young children also have a booster dose aged 3 years and 4 months.
Ask about your baby’s vaccinations at your 6 week postnatal check.
More information and support
The NHS has more information about whooping cough, the signs and symptoms, how it’s treated, and when to call 999 or go to A&E.
You can also find out more about your baby’s vaccinations as part of the NHS vaccination programme on their website.
Always seek help if your baby has symptoms of whooping cough, or a very bad cough that is getting worse, or if you’ve been in contact with someone with whooping cough. Call your GP or NHS 111 urgently.
Our Helpline is always here for you if you have any concerns about lung health. Call to speak to one of our expert advisors on 0300 222 5800.
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