Getting vaccinated while you're pregnant is effective in protecting your baby from getting whooping cough in the first few weeks of their life.
Whooping cough is a serious infection that causes coughing and choking, making it hard to breathe.
The vaccine also protects against:
- Diphtheria
- Tetanus
- Polio
When will you be offered the vaccination:
- The best time to have the vaccination is from 16 weeks up to 32 weeks of your pregnancy.
- If you do not have it in this time, you can still have the vaccination up until you go into labour.
Where to get the vaccination:
- You may be offered the vaccine at a routine appointment, from around 16 weeks of your pregnancy.
- You can also have the vaccination at the GP surgery, and some antenatal clinics also offer it.
If you're not offered it around 16 weeks, talk to your midwife.