Whooping cough, or pertussis, is a highly contagious infection of the airways, and it is most dangerous for young babies. Protection from the vaccines you had as a child fades over time, which is why a whooping cough booster for adults is recommended for several groups, including grandparents and anyone caring for a new baby. This article explains who needs a booster and when, why babies depend on the adults around them, and how to get one as a walk-in at Your Community Pharmacy in Newport.
Key Takeaways
- Protection from earlier whooping cough vaccines drops off over time, so boosters are needed.
- Household members, grandparents and carers of babies under 6 months should have a booster if their last dose was more than 10 years ago.
- Boosters are also recommended for adults working with young children, and at ages 50 and 65.
- Newborns and premature babies are at greatest risk of severe illness from whooping cough.
- NSW pharmacists can give the whooping cough vaccine from age 5, and you can walk in without an appointment.
Whooping cough in adults
Whooping cough is caused by the bacterium Bordetella pertussis and spreads through droplets when an infected person coughs or sneezes. It often starts like a cold, with a runny nose and a mild cough. The cough then gets worse, with severe bouts of uncontrollable coughing that can end in the “whoop” that gives the illness its name.
In adults the cough commonly lasts 5 to 7 weeks, and sometimes longer. Because older children and adults are often less sick than babies, an adult with whooping cough can mistake it for a stubborn cough and pass it on without knowing.
Who should have a whooping cough booster as an adult?
NSW Health’s advice on the adult whooping cough booster lists these groups:
- Adult household members, grandparents and carers of babies under 6 months, if they have not had a pertussis vaccine in the last 10 years
- Adults working with young children, especially healthcare and childcare workers, every 10 years
- Adults at 50 and 65 years and over who have not had a pertussis vaccine in the last 10 years
Pregnancy is a separate case: a dose is recommended in each pregnancy, between 20 and 32 weeks. Our whooping cough vaccine page covers vaccination in pregnancy in more detail.
Planning ahead for a new grandchild
If a grandchild is on the way, plan your booster ahead of the birth rather than after it. Vaccinating the people who will hold, feed and care for a newborn helps shield a baby who is too young to be fully protected.
Why babies are most at risk
Newborns and premature babies are at greatest risk of severe illness, hospitalisation and death from whooping cough. Some babies do not cough at all, but can stop breathing and turn blue.
Babies have their own vaccines at 6 weeks, 4 months, 6 months and 18 months, so the first months of life are when they rely most on protection from their mother’s vaccine in pregnancy and from the adults around them.
Due for your whooping cough booster? Walk in during opening hours, no appointment needed.
Getting your booster at Your Community Pharmacy
The adult vaccine is called dTpa, because it also boosts protection against diphtheria and tetanus. Under the NSW Health pharmacist vaccine eligibility table, pharmacists can give it to anyone aged 5 and over.
Walk-in vaccinations at Your Community Pharmacy need no appointment during opening hours and carry no booking fee. Bring photo ID, your Medicare card if you have one, and your vaccination history. Your visit runs like this:
- A short chat: a pharmacist immuniser checks the vaccine suits you, including allergies and past reactions.
- The injection: a single dose in your upper arm, given in the private consultation area.
- A short wait: you stay nearby for at least 15 minutes so the pharmacist can watch for a reaction.
- Aftercare: the pharmacist explains what to expect over the next day or two.
Mild reactions such as a sore, red or swollen arm where the needle went in can happen, and usually pass within a few days. Tell the pharmacist if you have a fever on the day, as it may be better to wait until you are well.
Other vaccines to ask about
A booster visit is a good time to check what else you are due for. Adults turning 50 or 65 may want to ask about the shingles vaccine and a COVID-19 vaccine, and older adults about the RSV vaccine. If you are heading overseas, healthdirect lists whooping cough among the routine vaccines to check before you go, and our travel vaccination service can look at the rest of your trip. Our article on pharmacist travel vaccines explains which ones a pharmacist can give.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the whooping cough booster free for adults?
It is free under government programs for some groups, including pregnant women and people aged 5 to 19 catching up. Most other adults, including grandparents, pay a fee. The pharmacist can tell you if you qualify and what your booster costs.
Can I have the booster at the same time as my flu vaccine?
Ask the pharmacist, who will check whether both suit you on the same visit. If you are curious about reactions to the flu vaccine, our article on flu shot side effects explains what is common.
How do I find out when I last had a whooping cough vaccine?
Your immunisation history statement from the Australian Immunisation Register, available through Medicare, lists recorded vaccines. Bring it with you so the pharmacist can see if you are due.
What should I do if I think I have whooping cough?
Stay home, keep away from babies, and contact your doctor. More practical answers are in our FAQs.
Planning your booster
If you live with, care for or work with young children, or you are 50 or 65, check when you last had a whooping cough vaccine. If it was more than 10 years ago, an adult whooping cough booster is a quick walk-in visit that protects you and the babies in your life. Your Community Pharmacy has served Newport since 1959.
Walk into Your Community Pharmacy in Newport for your whooping cough booster.