The first year of life is the most vulnerable age group for pertussis (whooping cough).

Boostrix is funded through GPs and midwifes from the second trimester of every pregnancy and recommended to be administered from 16 weeks, preferably within the second trimester, to help protect both mother and her newborn infant against pertussis (whooping cough). By immunising the mother in pregnancy, the baby can be protected from whooping cough in two ways:

1.    By the antibodies produced by mother following immunisation and passed to baby across the placenta
2.    The mother is protected from catching whooping cough and passing it to her baby

It is important to emphasise that this protection is temporary and the infant should receive their own immunisations on time, starting at 6 weeks, so they develop their own, longer-term immunity.

Vaccination of adults in close contact with infants including parents, grandparents, health workers, and caregivers is also recommended to help protect our infants. 

We can administer the Tdap vaccine unfunded to pregnant women aged 13 years or older,  men, and non-pregnant women aged 18 years and older. 

Please contact us to check availability and price of the vaccine.