What should you know about cough vaccine in pregnancy?

The phrase cough vaccine commonly refers to vaccination against whooping cough. During pregnancy, the timing is chosen to support protection for the newborn in the early period after birth. Your maternity team or vaccination provider can confirm the recommended timing for your pregnancy and check your previous records.

Vaccines do not prevent every cough. A cough may come from a cold, reflux, allergies, asthma, or another respiratory problem. Soreness at the injection site, tiredness, or a short-lived temperature may occur; tell the clinician about any previous vaccine reaction or significant allergy before the dose.

Bring your maternity and immunisation information if available. Tell the provider how many weeks pregnant you are, whether you feel acutely unwell, which medicines you take, and whether you have had a serious reaction to a vaccine. Use only pregnancy-appropriate medicines for cough or fever after checking with a pharmacist, midwife, or doctor.

If coughing is persistent, discuss other possibilities such as [Acid Reflux](/conditions/acid-reflux/), [Allergic Rhinitis](/conditions/allergic-rhinitis/), [Asthma](/conditions/asthma/), or [Acute Bronchitis](/conditions/acute-bronchitis/).

Get urgent help for severe breathlessness, blue or grey lips, confusion, fainting, chest pain, or coughing blood. Contact your maternity team or clinician promptly if a cough is worsening, you cannot keep fluids down, you have a high temperature and feel very unwell, or you notice reduced fetal movement according to the advice given for your pregnancy. Do not assume a new cough is a vaccine reaction.

Ask which infection the vaccine covers, why it is offered at this stage of pregnancy, what to expect afterwards, and whether your current medicines are suitable. If you are already coughing, ask whether you need an examination, testing, or a pregnancy-safe treatment plan.