Health authorities including the CDC, WHO, and AAP recommend that all pregnant women receive the Tdap vaccine to protect their newborns against whooping cough. The vaccine is typically offered during weeks 27–36 of pregnancy.
The reasoning is simple but important: newborns are extremely vulnerable to whooping cough in the first months of life, long before they can be vaccinated themselves. When you're vaccinated during pregnancy, you transfer antibodies to your baby through the placenta, giving them a protective shield from day one.
Here's everything you need to know — what whooping cough is, why the vaccine is recommended, and how to get it.
What Is Whooping Cough?
Whooping cough, or pertussis, is a highly contagious respiratory infection caused by the bacterium Bordetella pertussis. The disease is known for violent, prolonged coughing with a characteristic "whooping" intake of breath after coughing fits.
The illness starts innocuously: runny nose, mild cough, and perhaps a slight fever for about one week. Then comes the severe phase with coughing fits that can last many weeks, sometimes months.
Whooping cough affects all age groups but is clearly most dangerous for infants. Cases have been rising in recent years across many countries.
Why Is Whooping Cough Dangerous for Newborns?
For adults and older children, whooping cough is uncomfortable but rarely life-threatening. For newborns and infants under 6 months, the picture is entirely different.
About half of infants under one year who contract whooping cough must be hospitalized. The very youngest can experience breathing pauses during coughing fits, which can lead to brain damage or, in the worst case, death.
Important: Your baby cannot receive their own whooping cough vaccine until 2 months of age. It is during these first months that whooping cough is most dangerous. Vaccination during pregnancy is the only way to give your baby protection from birth.
The Tdap Vaccine Recommendation
The CDC, AAP, and WHO all recommend the Tdap vaccine for pregnant women. Many countries around the world — including the UK, US, Australia, and numerous European nations — have established vaccination programs for pregnant women, and research shows very good effectiveness in protecting newborns.
When During Pregnancy Should You Be Vaccinated?
Health authorities recommend vaccination during weeks 27–36 of pregnancy, ideally early in the third trimester.
This timing is recommended for a good reason: the baby needs enough time to build up sufficient antibodies via the placenta. The earlier in the third trimester you receive the vaccine, the more protection the baby has time to build before birth.
Have you passed the recommended window without getting the vaccine? Get it anyway — it's recommended right up until delivery. Even if birth occurs less than two weeks after vaccination, it's still beneficial. You boost your own whooping cough protection and are therefore less likely to transmit the disease to your baby after birth.
Which Vaccine Is Used?
The vaccine given to pregnant women is Tdap (such as Boostrix or Adacel), a combination vaccine that protects against three diseases:
- T — tetanus (lockjaw)
- d — diphtheria
- ap — acellular pertussis (whooping cough)
The vaccine does not contain live bacteria or viruses, which means it cannot give you the disease it's designed to protect against.
The vaccine is recommended in each pregnancy, even if you've received it before. Whooping cough protection wanes faster than for most other diseases, and to ensure your baby receives optimal antibody levels from you, the vaccine should be taken again for each pregnancy.
Is the Vaccine Safe During Pregnancy?
Yes. Tdap has been thoroughly studied in pregnant women, and the safety profile is very good.
Research shows that pregnant women experience the same side effects as non-pregnant women in the same age group. Some studies suggest that pregnant women have slightly less tendency toward fever and malaise after vaccination.
No negative outcomes for either mother or baby have been found as a result of whooping cough vaccination during pregnancy. Similar programs in the UK and US, which have been running for over ten years, confirm this safety profile.
Common Side Effects
Most side effects are mild and resolve on their own within a few days:
- Pain, redness, and swelling at the injection site (the most common side effect)
- Mild fever
- Fatigue and malaise
- Headache
Serious side effects are very rare.
Apply something cool — such as a cloth with cold water — to the injection site after vaccination if it's sore. Acetaminophen (Tylenol) in normal doses is safe to use during pregnancy if you have discomfort.
How to Get the Tdap Vaccine
The vaccine is available through your healthcare provider. You can get it from:
- Your OB-GYN — most offer the vaccine at a prenatal visit during the recommended window
- Your primary care doctor — can administer the vaccine at a regular appointment
- Your midwife — depending on your practice setup
- Pharmacies — many pharmacies now offer Tdap vaccination
The easiest way is to ask your healthcare provider at your next prenatal appointment. If you haven't been offered the vaccine and are past week 27, contact your provider.
What About Other Vaccines During Pregnancy?
The Tdap vaccine isn't the only vaccine you can receive while pregnant. Health authorities also recommend:
- Flu vaccine (influenza) — recommended for all pregnant women, can be given at the same time as the Tdap vaccine
- RSV vaccine (Abrysvo) — approved for pregnant women to protect newborns against RSV. Note that there should be at least two weeks between the RSV vaccine and the Tdap vaccine.
- COVID-19 vaccine — recommended for pregnant women per current guidelines
Talk to your OB-GYN or midwife about which vaccines are appropriate for you and your situation.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I get the Tdap vaccine in the first trimester?
Health authorities recommend vaccination at week 27 or later. The vaccine is given in the late second or third trimester so that antibodies have time to transfer to the baby in sufficient amounts via the placenta. Taking it too early doesn't provide optimal protection for the baby.
I was vaccinated against whooping cough as a child — do I need a new vaccine?
Yes. Whooping cough protection from childhood vaccination wanes over time and is gone in most people within 10–15 years. For your baby to receive antibodies from you, you need up-to-date protection near the time of birth. A new vaccination is recommended in each pregnancy.
What if I got the vaccine late in pregnancy?
Even if you get the vaccine late in pregnancy, it's better than nothing. You boost your own immunity and reduce the chance of transmitting the disease to your baby after birth. The vaccine should be offered right up until delivery.
Are there any contraindications?
Most pregnant women can safely receive the Tdap vaccine. If you've had a severe allergic reaction (anaphylaxis) to a previous dose of the vaccine or to one of its ingredients, consult your doctor. There are otherwise very few situations where pregnant women cannot receive the vaccine.
Is the vaccine safe while breastfeeding?
Yes, the vaccine is safe during breastfeeding. No amounts of the vaccine's ingredients are transferred to breast milk that would be problematic for the baby. Breastfeeding mothers can receive the Tdap vaccine without concern.
Can my partner also be vaccinated?
Yes, and it can be a good idea. If you want to further protect your baby, close contacts — such as partners who haven't had a Tdap booster in the last ten years — should talk to their doctor about vaccination. This is called the "cocooning strategy." Remember that vaccination during pregnancy gives the baby the best protection in the first months.
Want an overview of all the vaccines your baby will need after birth? Read our article about the childhood immunization schedule. You can also check our hospital bag checklist to be well prepared for the delivery.