Maternal Immunisation – Pertussis (Whooping Cough)

Pregnant lady with a metaphorical whooping cough (pertussis) protective layer protecting her and her baby

Protect your baby from Pertussis, or Whooping Cough, from day one.

Why get the Tetanus, Diphtheria and Pertussis booster vaccination during pregnancy?
How does the Tetanus, Diphtheria and Pertussis booster vaccination work during pregnancy and what are the benefits?
What are the risks if you don’t receive your vaccine during pregnancy?
When should you receive your vaccine?

Why get the Tetanus, Diphtheria and Pertussis Booster Vaccination during pregnancy?

TO PROTECT YOU AND YOUR BABY FROM PERTUSSIS.

You can help protect your unborn child against Pertussis during the first weeks of life. Simply get your Tetanus, Diphtheria and Pertussis (Whooping Cough) booster vaccination while pregnant.^1-3
Indeed, up to 6 months old, newborns are at risk for increased morbidity and mortality from infectious diseases such as Whooping Cough. This is because they are unable to generate an effective immune response.^4-6
Getting the Tetanus, Diphtheria and Whooping Cough booster vaccination during pregnancy will help protect you and your baby against Whooping Cough simultaneously.^1,2

In addition, it is essential that any close family members and carers who will have contact with your baby likewise receive protection against whooping cough.^7,8

Therefore, make sure that they receive the vaccine at least two weeks before they meet your baby.^7,8

In essence, to prevent Pertussis disease and potential complications, get the Tetanus, Diphteria and Whooping Cough booster vaccination.

HOW DOES TETANUS, DIPHTHERIA AND PERTUSSIS BOOSTER VACCINATION WORK DURING PREGNANCY AND WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS?

Vaccinating pregnant women with the Tetanus, Diphtheria and Whooping Cough booster vaccine helps to directly protect them and their babies against Whooping Cough, as the mother’s body will transfer antibodies to the baby through the placenta.^1,6,9

At birth, this protection continues, and the antibodies developed during pregnancy help protect newborns from pertussis during their first weeks of life – before they receive their first vaccines.^3,9

FOR THESE REASONS, GETTING VACCINATED DURING PREGNANCY IS UNDOUBTEDLY ONE OF THE BEST DECISIONS YOU CAN MAKE TO PROTECT BOTH YOU AND YOUR BABY FROM PERTUSSIS DISEASE.¹

WHAT ARE THE RISKS IF YOU DON’T GET VACCINATED DURING PREGNANCY?

Pertussis, also known as whooping cough, is a highly contagious respiratory disease. Although it can affect people of all ages, the condition can be very serious, even life-threatening, for babies less than one-year-old.¹⁰
Spread easily by coughing or sneezing; it can cause violent coughing and is particularly severe during the first months of life when babies are too young to receive a vaccination of their own. ^1,6,9,10
Whooping Cough in newborns can lead to serious complications such as pneumonia, brain damage and death in the most severe cases. ^1,3,5,10,11

The Tetanus, Diphtheria and Whooping Cough booster vaccination also protects against Tetanus and Diphtheria.¹² Take this opportunity to protect yourself against Whooping Cough and two other diseases in only one injection!

DON’T LET YOURSELF OR YOUR BABY GO UNPROTECTED AGAINST PERTUSSIS. GET YOUR TETANUS, DIPHTHERIA AND PERTUSSIS BOOSTER VACCINATION DURING PREGNANCY. ¹²

WHEN SHOULD YOU GET VACCINATED?

Ideally during your 2nd or 3rd trimester.*^1,2,9
During each pregnancy, even if you already received your vaccination in the past.²
During the same visit as for the influenza vaccine, as long as it is between the 2nd or 3rd trimester.
You can receive both vaccines during the same visit, in this condition only.¹²

* Requires adaptation according to local recommendations

DON’T MISS AN OPPORTUNITY TO STRENGTHEN BOTH YOUR AND YOUR BABY’S IMMUNITY!

SPEAK TO YOUR DOCTOR OR HEALTHCARE PROFESSIONAL TODAY ABOUT GETTING THE TETANUS, DIPHTHERIA & PERTUSSIS BOOSTER VACCINATION DURING PREGNANCY