Whooping Cough 

Whooping cough vaccine provides immunity to diphtheria, tetanus, and pertussis (“whooping cough”) diseases.

Diphtheria is an acute bacterial (Corynebacterium diphtheriae) infection that can produce a thick membrane in the pharynx, causing severe breathing difficulties and potentially life- threatening conditions such as heart failure and nerve damage.

Tetanus is caused by a bacterium found in soil that can enter wounds and produce a neurotoxin that acts on the central nervous system to cause muscle rigidity with painful spasms. Tetanus-toxoid vaccines prevent disease by making antibodies that bind to the toxin, rather than the bacteria.

Pertussis, commonly known as ‘whooping cough’, is a highly contagious infection of the respiratory tract caused by the bacterium Bordetella pertussis. It can be spread to other people by droplets from coughing or sneezing. Untreated, a person with whooping cough can spread it to other people for up to 3 weeks after the onset of cough.

The dTpa (diphtheria, tetanus, and whooping cough) vaccine is recommended for anyone who wishes to protect themselves against these diseases. Booster doses should be received every 10 years.

Eligible under the NIP in-pharmacy:

• Infants and children at 2, 4, 6, and 18 months and 4 years of age as part of routine childhood vaccination schedule (only South Australian pharmacists are eligible to vaccinate).
• Children 5 to <10 years of age who have not received or missed diphtheria-toxoid vaccines at the recommended schedule points may need extra doses of vaccines and/or alternative schedule.
• Year 7 (or age equivalent) adolescents from 11 to 13 years of age who have missed their booster vaccination through their usual School-Based Immunisation Program (SBIP). A catch-up is available up to and including the age of 20 years of age.
• Pregnant women during each pregnancy, ideally at 20-32 weeks gestation but it can be received any time in the third trimester.
• Catch-up vaccine* for adult refugees and humanitarian entrants 20 years and over who have missed their childhood vaccine.

Eligible Privately:

• Patients aged 50 years and over if their last dose was more than 10 years ago.
• Healthcare workers and anyone who will be having contact with newborn babies to ensure that they receive the booster vaccine against whooping cough. This includes partners of pregnant women, grandparents, extended family and friends.
• People 20 years and over, such as people exposed to tetanus-prone wound^ or travellers to countries where health services are difficult to access who have missed doses of childhood dTpa vaccines or routine booster vaccinations in adults if their last dose was 10 years ago.

*Speak with your local 777 Pharmacist about state eligibility.

^Victorian Pharmacists are not eligible to vaccinate for the express purpose of post-exposure prophylaxis for tetanus prone wound. Seek medical advice from your GP or urgent care instead.