Whooping Cough (Pertussis) Vaccination
Whooping Cough (Pertussis) Vaccination
Whooping Cough (Pertussis) Vaccination
The whooping cough vaccine, also known as dTpa vaccine, is a safe and effective way to protect yourself, your family, and your community from a serious respiratory illness. Whooping cough is a highly contagious bacterial infection that can cause prolonged bouts of coughing lasting weeks or even months.
For babies under 6 months, whooping cough can be life-threatening – and vaccination is the most important measure in preventing this.
Regular whooping cough vaccinations help protect against the bacteria Bordetella pertussis and reduce the risk of serious illness, especially in vulnerable infants. In this guide, see why the whooping cough vaccine matters, who should get vaccinated, what to expect, and how to book yours in.
What does the Whooping Cough Vaccine protect against?
The dTpa vaccine protects against three diseases. Vaccination is the best protection against these diseases.
Diphtheria
Diphtheria is a contagious bacterial infection that can be potentially life threatening. It can cause:
• Heart failure
• Nerve damage
• Severe breathing difficulties
Tetanus
Tetanus is a severe and often fatal disease of the nervous system and can cause:
• Muscle stiffness that affects the jaw
• Severe muscle spasms that impact your breathing and can break bones
• Cardiac arrest
Pertussis
Pertussis is known as Whooping Cough and is a highly infectious bacterial disease. It can cause:
• Coughing for up to three months
• Severe bouts of coughing that can cause rib fractures and ruptures of small blood vessels
• Pneumonia, seizures and brain damage in infants
Why getting a whooping cough vaccine matters
Whooping cough remains a significant health concern in Australia. In 2024, more than 57,000 cases were reported – the highest yearly number since records began in 1991. [Source: Australian Centre for Disease Control] Pertussis epidemics typically occur every 3 to 4 years, and the disease spreads easily through airborne droplets when an infected person coughs or sneezes. Around 9 in 10 unvaccinated household contacts of someone with whooping cough will catch the infection. [Source: healthdirect]
Whooping cough is especially dangerous for babies under 6 months of age, who are too young to be fully immunised. Between 2013 and 2017, infants under 2 months had the highest rate of pertussis-related hospitalisations in Australia, and 6 of the 9 deaths attributed to pertussis in that period were in infants under 1 year of age. [Source: NCIRS]
By getting the whooping cough vaccine, you not only reduce your own risk of illness but also help prevent the spread of pertussis to vulnerable babies and young children who cannot yet protect themselves.
Who is eligible for the free whooping cough vaccine?
Some people are eligible for a free whooping cough vaccine under the National Immunisation Program (NIP). Those who can receive a free pertussis-containing vaccine include: [Source: Better Health Channel]
• Children at 2, 4, 6, 18 months and 4 years of age
• Adolescents in Year 7 at secondary school (or age equivalent)
• Pregnant women from 20 weeks gestation (ideally between 20 and 32 weeks) during every pregnancy
• Eligible people under 20 years of age requiring catch-up vaccination
• Refugees and other humanitarian entrants of any age requiring catch-up vaccination
In some states and territories, access to free pertussis vaccination through pharmacies can vary, particularly for pregnant women. You can find out whether you qualify by speaking with your local healthcare professional or Blooms The Chemist.
Who should get the whooping cough vaccine?
The Australian Immunisation Handbook recommends whooping cough vaccination for infants, children, adolescents, pregnant women, and adults in specific risk groups. [Source: Australian Immunisation Handbook]
Routine childhood and adolescent vaccination:
• Infants and children at 2 months (from 6 weeks), 4 months, 6 months, 18 months, and 4 years of age
• Adolescents in Year 7 of secondary school (or age equivalent), typically aged 11 to 13 years
Pregnant women:
• A dose during each pregnancy, preferably between 20 and 32 weeks gestation. Maternal vaccination has been shown to reduce whooping cough in infants by 80% to 91%. [Source: Better Health Channel]
Adults recommended to have a booster:
• Adults aged 50 years and 65 years (if they haven't received a pertussis vaccine in the past 10 years)
• Parents, grandparents, guardians and carers of infants under 6 months old
• Healthcare workers
• Early childhood educators and carers of young children
• Travellers heading to areas with pertussis outbreaks
Because immunity from pertussis vaccination wanes over time, booster doses are recommended every 10 years for adults in close contact with infants or in high-risk occupations. [Source: Better Health Channel]
Most people with allergies can safely receive the whooping cough vaccine. However, people who have had anaphylaxis to a previous pertussis-containing vaccine or any of its components should not receive further doses. If you have any concerns, speak with your doctor or pharmacist. [Source: Australian Government Department of Health]
When and where to get your whooping cough vaccine
Unlike the flu, whooping cough circulates in the community year-round, so there's no single "best season" to get vaccinated. The key is to make sure you and your family are up to date with your recommended doses. [Source: Australian Centre for Disease Control]
For adults in close contact with a newborn (such as fathers, grandparents and carers), it is recommended to receive a dTpa vaccine at least 2 weeks before beginning close contact with the infant, so that protection has time to develop. [Source: NCIRS]
If you're planning international travel, it's a good idea to check your whooping cough vaccination is up to date before you depart.
Whooping cough vaccines are available at a range of health service locations – including general practices, community health centres, and pharmacies such as Blooms The Chemist. Find a Blooms The Chemist near you by using our Store Finder.
What to expect when getting your whooping cough vaccine
You may experience mild side effects following your whooping cough vaccine appointment. The good news is that most reactions are mild and only last a couple of days. Common side effects can include: [Source: Australian Government Department of Health]
• Pain, redness or swelling at the injection site
• Mild fever
• Headache
• Tiredness or fatigue
• Muscle aches
• Nausea
• Loss of appetite (in children)
• Irritability (in infants and young children)
If you do experience these mild whooping cough vaccine side effects, rest and drink plenty of fluids. You can use a cold compress on the injection site and take paracetamol or ibuprofen to alleviate any discomfort. [Source: healthdirect]
After your vaccine, you'll be asked to wait for a 15-minute observation period to ensure no adverse reaction occurs.
How to book your whooping cough vaccine with us
Ready to protect yourself and your loved ones from whooping cough?
Book your pertussis vaccine online with us today.
Simply enter your postcode or suburb, and select Vaccinations & Whooping Cough to find availability at your nearest Blooms The Chemist.
FAQs about the whooping cough vaccine
The whooping cough vaccine works by teaching your immune system how to recognise the Bordetella pertussis bacteria without you having to contract it. The vaccine contains inactivated (non-infectious) components of the bacteria, so it cannot give you whooping cough. Your body responds by producing protective antibodies that can fight off the real bacteria if you're exposed in the future. [Source: Australian Immunisation Handbook]
Immunity from the whooping cough vaccine fades over time, which is why booster doses are recommended. For adults in close contact with infants or in high-risk occupations, a booster is recommended every 10 years to maintain protection. [Source: Better Health Channel]
Yes, it's still possible to catch whooping cough after vaccination, particularly if your last booster was more than 10 years ago. However, even if you do get whooping cough after being vaccinated, your symptoms are usually much milder and the risk of severe illness and complications is significantly reduced. Vaccination also helps prevent you from passing the infection to vulnerable people, such as young babies. [Source: Immunisation Coalition]
The cost of your whooping cough vaccine varies depending on your eligibility. The vaccine is free* for those covered under the National Immunisation Program – including eligible children, adolescents and pregnant women. [Source: Australian Government Department of Health] For adults who are not eligible for a free vaccine, a paid whooping cough vaccination is available. Bookings can be made through the Blooms The Chemist website.
*In some states and territories, access to free pertussis vaccination through pharmacies can vary. You can find out whether you qualify by speaking with your local healthcare professional or Blooms The Chemist.
Yes. Whooping cough vaccination is strongly recommended during each pregnancy, preferably between 20 and 32 weeks gestation. Vaccinating during pregnancy allows you to pass protective antibodies to your baby before birth, helping protect them in the first months of life before they're old enough to receive their own vaccinations. Pertussis vaccines are safe in pregnancy, and maternal vaccination has been shown to reduce whooping cough in infants by 80% to 91%. [Source: Better Health Channel]
No. The whooping cough vaccines used in Australia are acellular vaccines, meaning they contain inactivated components of the Bordetella pertussis bacteria rather than a live form of the bacteria. This means they cannot cause whooping cough infection. Whooping cough vaccines are only available in Australia as combination vaccines that also protect against diphtheria and tetanus (and in some formulations, polio). [Source: Australian Government Department of Health]
Common side effects of the whooping cough vaccine include pain, redness or swelling at the injection site, mild fever, headache, tiredness, muscle aches and nausea. These symptoms are usually mild and typically resolve within 1 to 2 days without treatment. Serious side effects are very rare. [Source: Australian Government Department of Health]
No, the whooping cough vaccine cannot give you whooping cough. The vaccines used in Australia are acellular and contain no live bacteria. Some people may experience mild side effects such as a sore arm, tiredness or a low-grade fever – these are signs that your immune system is responding to the vaccine and typically resolve within a day or two. [Source: healthdirect]
If you're feeling unwell and unsure about whether or not to receive the whooping cough vaccine, speak with your healthcare advisor or local Blooms The Chemist pharmacist. They can advise on the most appropriate timing for your vaccination.
Yes. The whooping cough vaccine can generally be given on the same day as other vaccines, including the flu and COVID-19 vaccines. Speak with your pharmacist or GP about coordinating your vaccinations. [Source: Australian Immunisation Handbook]
Yes. The whooping cough vaccine is a safe and effective way to protect yourself and others from pertussis. All pertussis-containing vaccines used in Australia have been rigorously assessed by the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) and meet strict standards for safety, quality and effectiveness. [Source: Therapeutic Goods Administration]
Information on this page is current as of April 2026 and is based on the Australian Immunisation Handbook and ATAGI guidance. Immunisation recommendations are reviewed regularly. Always speak with your healthcare provider for personalised advice.