Whooping cough vaccine for pregnant women

Whooping cough is extremely contagious. It is particularly serious in babies under six months of age, who are at risk of severe complications.

Vaccination during pregnancy (between 20 and 32 weeks gestation) reduces the risk of whooping cough in young infants by 90%

Pregnant women are offered free pertussis-containing vaccine (funded under the National Immunisation Program). 

However, the Victorian Government funded pertussis vaccination program for partners of pregnant women and guardians of infants under 6 months of age (if they had not received a pertussis vaccine in the past 10 years) will cease on 30 June 2023. They are still strongly recommended to have a pertussis booster.