Whooping Cough (Pertussis) Vaccination
Pronounced (per-TUS-iss)
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One of the Recommended Vaccines by Disease
Vaccines are available that can help prevent whooping cough, also known as pertussis. Whooping cough is a respiratory disease caused by Bordetella pertussis bacteria. There are two kinds of vaccines used today to protect against whooping cough, both of which are combined with vaccines for other diseases:
- Diphtheria, tetanus, and pertussis (DTaP) vaccines
- Tetanus, diphtheria, and pertussis (Tdap) vaccines
Whooping cough vaccination is recommended for all babies, children, teens, and pregnant women. DTaP is given to children younger than 7 years old, while Tdap is given to older children and adults.
Talk with your or your child’s healthcare professional if you have questions about whooping cough vaccines.
CDC recommends whooping cough vaccination for:
- Babies and children
- Preteens and teens
- Pregnant women
- Adults
Related Pages
- CDC’s Whooping Cough Website
- Diphtheria, Tetanus, and Whooping Cough Vaccine Information Statements
- DTaP (English / Other Languages)
- Tdap (English / Other Languages)
- Whooping Cough Information on vaccines.gov
- Photos of Whooping Cough Bacteria and People Affected by Whooping Cough
Warning: Some of these photos are graphic.
- Page last reviewed: November 22, 2016
- Page last updated: November 22, 2016
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