Vaccination against whooping cough during pregnancy
Whooping cough (pertussis) can be a serious and potentially life-threatening disease in very young infants, especially before they are old enough to be vaccinated as a part of the childhood vaccination programme. For this reason, all pregnant women are offered free vaccination against whooping cough to help protect infants under 3 months of age. Vaccubatuib protects the baby in the first months of life through the transfer of antibodies from the mother.
The Danish Health Authority recommends vaccination in connection with the second antenatal appointment with the GP around week 25 of pregnancy.
It is recommended that at least two weeks pass between vaccination against whooping cough and vaccination against RSV.
Questions and answers
1. Why does the Danish Health Authority recommend vaccination against whooping cough during pregnancy?
Whooping cough is a highly contagious disease caused by the bacterium Bordetella pertussis.
Whooping cough can be serious in infants, especially in the first months of life before they are old enough to be vaccinated themselves at 3 months of age.
When pregnant women are vaccinated against whooping cough, antibodies are passed on to the foetus. In this way, vaccination during pregnancy helps protect the infant against whooping cough in the first months of life.
2. When should you be vaccinated against whooping cough during pregnancy?
The Danish Health Authority recommends that pregnant women are vaccinated against whooping cough at the second scheduled antenatal appointment with their GP, around week 25 of pregnancy, or during another contact in the second or third trimester. Vaccination is recommended throughout the year.
If the vaccine is given later than two weeks before the expected date of delivery, full protection cannot be expected.
If you are pregnant with twins or triplets or are at risk of preterm birth for another reason, vaccination may be given earlier in pregnancy, but no earlier than week 16 of pregnancy.
Pregnant women can always speak to their GP or midwife if they have questions about vaccination during pregnancy.
3. Should I be vaccinated with each new pregnancy?
The Danish Health Authority recommends vaccination against whooping cough with each new pregnancy.
4. Is the vaccine safe for the pregnant woman and the foetus?
The Danish Health Authority has reviewed the large amount of evidence on whooping cough vaccination during pregnancy and, on that basis, recommends vaccination against whooping cough for pregnant women. It is well documented that whooping cough vaccine is safe for both the pregnant woman and the foetus. There is also extensive experience with vaccinating pregnant women against whooping cough, both in Denmark and internationally.
5. What are the most common side effects?
All vaccines can cause side effects, including the whooping cough vaccine. Pregnant women may experience the same side effects as others after vaccination.
The most common side effects are mild and go away on their own, such as soreness at the injection site, headache, diarrhoea, muscle aches, fatigue and a general feeling of being unwell.
Serious side effects, such as a severe allergic reaction, are very rare. If you have previously had a severe allergic reaction following a vaccine or another injection, you should speak to your GP before being vaccinated.
Vaccination is not associated with an increased risk of harm to the fetus or the newborn. This means that the vaccine is safe for your baby.
6. Can whooping cough vaccination be given at the same time as RSV and influenza vaccination?
It is recommended that there be at least two weeks between vaccination against whooping cough and vaccination against RSV disease to ensure the best possible effect of the vaccines.
One study has shown that the body’s immune response to the whooping cough vaccine may be slightly lower if the vaccines are given at the same time. However, it is not known whether this has any effect on how well the vaccines protect. The risk of side effects was the same regardless of whether the vaccines were given at the same time or separately.
Influenza vaccination can be given on the same day as whooping cough vaccination or at any interval.
7. When should the baby be vaccinated against whooping cough?
Even if the mother is vaccinated during pregnancy, the baby should still be vaccinated against whooping cough as part of the childhood vaccination programme. The baby is first offered vaccination against whooping cough at 3 months of age, followed by vaccinations at 5 and 12 months. It is important that the child is vaccinated on time to ensure the best possible protection as possible against whooping cough.
8. What vaccinations are offered during pregnancy?
The following vaccinations are offered during pregnancy:
Whooping cough vaccination at week 25 of pregnancy with your GP, offered year-round.
RSV vaccination at week 32 of pregnancy with your GP from May to January
Influenza vaccination in the second and third trimester from 1 October to 20 December, given at regional vaccination sites as part of the seasonal vaccination programme.
If you have a chronic disease or condition that puts you at increased risk of severe COVID-19, you are also offered vaccination against COVID-19 from 1 October to 20 December, regardless of whether you are pregnant.