What should you know about pertussis vaccine for adults around newborns?

Whooping cough spreads through respiratory droplets and close contact. Newborns may become seriously unwell, and an adult can have a mild or early illness before recognising the pattern. A pertussis-containing vaccine can reduce the chance of severe disease and may lower the chance of passing infection, but it is not a substitute for staying away when ill or following public-health advice.

Check your record with a clinician rather than relying on memory. [Whooping Cough](/conditions/whooping-cough/) may begin like an ordinary [Cough](/symptoms/cough/) before repeated bouts develop.

Ask a clinic whether you are due a pertussis-containing vaccine, especially if you are a parent, grandparent, sibling, childcare worker, or regular visitor. Tell the vaccinator about allergies, pregnancy, immune conditions, and past reactions. Wash your hands before touching the baby, avoid sharing cups or utensils, improve ventilation, and postpone close visits if you have a new cough or feel unwell. If pertussis is suspected, seek assessment quickly; [Antibiotic Treatment](/treatments/medical-management/antibiotic-treatment/) may be prescribed to reduce infectiousness or treat illness when appropriate.

Get urgent help for breathing difficulty, blue or grey lips, confusion, fainting, or pauses in a baby’s breathing. Contact a clinician promptly for coughing bouts, vomiting after coughing, a worsening cough, or close exposure to confirmed whooping cough. A [Fever](/symptoms/fever/) in a newborn or a baby who feeds poorly should be assessed urgently, even if the temperature seems modest.

Am I due a pertussis-containing vaccine? How long should I wait after vaccination before visiting? What should I do after close exposure? Which symptoms in the newborn should prompt immediate help?