Can you have the Tdap whooping cough vaccine while pregnant?

Whooping cough, also called pertussis, can cause severe coughing illness in young babies. Vaccination during pregnancy can allow antibodies to cross the placenta, helping provide early protection while the baby is too young to complete routine childhood immunisation. Tdap also covers tetanus and diphtheria. It is a non-live vaccine, but your obstetric or primary-care clinician should still review your pregnancy history, allergies and previous reactions.

Discuss the recommended timing with your maternity team and tell them whether you have already received Tdap during this pregnancy or a previous pregnancy. Bring your vaccination record and mention medicines or immune conditions. After vaccination, arm tenderness, fatigue or a mild fever can occur. Rest, fluids and the pain-relief options approved by your clinician may help.

Seek emergency help for breathing difficulty, swelling of the face or throat, widespread hives, fainting or severe weakness after vaccination. During pregnancy, contact your maternity team for fever that persists, reduced fetal movement, vaginal bleeding, fluid leakage, painful regular contractions or any symptom that feels urgent. A cough with breathing difficulty, chest pain, bluish lips or inability to keep fluids down needs prompt assessment.

Ask why Tdap is recommended at your stage of pregnancy, how it protects the newborn, what to expect after the injection and what to do if you develop a cough or fever. Ask whether household caregivers need their own vaccination review.