You should know this about the whooping cough vaccine if you’re pregnant

The whooping cough vaccine has become a hot topic recently. For months, health authorities and the media have recommended that all pregnant women get vaccinated against whooping cough.

At URE Centro Gutenberg, we understand the concerns many women have, especially when it comes to getting vaccines during pregnancy. These questions often arise in our fertility clinic as soon as patients receive the wonderful news of a positive pregnancy test.

That’s why we’ve prepared this article—to clarify what whooping cough is and why it’s so important to get vaccinated during pregnancy.

What Is Whooping Cough?

Whooping cough (pertussis) is a contagious respiratory infection caused by the bacterium Bordetella pertussis. Although it can affect people of all ages, it’s especially dangerous—and potentially fatal—for newborns and infants.

In most cases, the infection is transmitted by close caregivers through airborne droplets from coughing or sneezing.

Symptoms of Whooping Cough

At first, whooping cough resembles a common cold: nasal congestion, sneezing, a persistent cough, and fever that can last for weeks. In very young infants, coughing may be minimal, but their general health can quickly deteriorate.

Even though the whooping cough vaccine is part of routine immunization schedules, we’ve seen a rise in cases, particularly among infants under 3 months old. These babies are especially vulnerable to severe complications like malignant pertussis syndrome.

Wasn’t Whooping Cough a Thing of the Past?

Unfortunately, no. Since 2010, Spain has seen increasing incidence rates, hospitalizations, and even deaths caused by whooping cough.

According to most immunization schedules, the first dose of the whooping cough vaccine is administered at two months of age. Therefore, infants don’t develop immunity until several weeks after this first dose.

Moreover, most mothers don’t have enough natural antibodies to pass on to their babies during pregnancy. As a result, newborns may lack sufficient protection during the first weeks of life.

This is why vaccination during pregnancy is recommended: it protects both the mother and the baby from day one.

Is the Whooping Cough Vaccine Safe During Pregnancy?

Yes. The whooping cough vaccine is safe during pregnancy and should be given even if the woman was vaccinated in childhood. In fact, it’s advised that the vaccine be administered during every pregnancy.

The recommended window is between weeks 28 and 32 of pregnancy. This timing ensures that the mother’s body produces antibodies that are transferred to the fetus through the placenta.

These antibodies protect the baby during the first months of life, until the infant receives their own vaccine dose at two months. This strategy offers vital protection during the newborn’s most vulnerable period.

A Public Health Recommendation

Scientific societies focused on maternal and child health began promoting whooping cough vaccination for pregnant women as early as 2013. In 2015, Spain’s Ministry of Health officially recommended regional vaccination programs for all expectant mothers.

Final Thoughts

Don’t stay in doubt—getting the whooping cough vaccine during pregnancy is the most effective way to protect your baby from a potentially fatal disease.