Whooping Cough (Pertussis) Vaccine in London
Pertussis advice before you travel
Travel plans sometimes bring whooping cough into focus: a pregnancy, a long visit to relatives, work with young children, or a trip to meet a newborn overseas. At City Of London Clinic in London, we can review your vaccine history, travel plans and reason for asking about pertussis, then explain whether vaccination is actually relevant. This page covers what whooping cough is, when the vaccine is used, and why adult travellers are not always advised to have it.
Travel plans sometimes bring whooping cough into focus: a pregnancy, a long visit to relatives, work with young children, or a trip to meet a newborn overseas. At City Of London Clinic in London, we can review your vaccine history, travel plans and reason for asking about pertussis, then explain whether vaccination is actually relevant. This page covers what whooping cough is, when the vaccine is used, and why adult travellers are not always advised to have it.
A cough that spreads easily and can last for months
Whooping cough, or pertussis, is a bacterial respiratory infection. It spreads through droplets when an infected person coughs or sneezes, which makes households, flights, family gatherings and childcare settings obvious places for transmission.
Early symptoms can look like an ordinary cold: runny nose, mild fever, tiredness and a cough. After a week or two, the cough can become much more distinctive, with repeated bouts that are hard to stop. Some people make the classic whoop noise when breathing in afterwards, although adults and very young babies may not. Vomiting after coughing is also possible. The cough can drag on for two to three months. Charming name, miserable illness.
The highest risk sits with babies under six months, especially before they have completed their early routine vaccines. Older children and adults may get a milder illness if they have been vaccinated before, but they can still pass infection on.
Whooping cough, or pertussis, is a bacterial respiratory infection. It spreads through droplets when an infected person coughs or sneezes, which makes households, flights, family gatherings and childcare settings obvious places for transmission.
Early symptoms can look like an ordinary cold: runny nose, mild fever, tiredness and a cough. After a week or two, the cough can become much more distinctive, with repeated bouts that are hard to stop. Some people make the classic whoop noise when breathing in afterwards, although adults and very young babies may not. Vomiting after coughing is also possible. The cough can drag on for two to three months. Charming name, miserable illness.
The highest risk sits with babies under six months, especially before they have completed their early routine vaccines. Older children and adults may get a milder illness if they have been vaccinated before, but they can still pass infection on.
Whooping cough, or pertussis, is a bacterial respiratory infection. It spreads through droplets when an infected person coughs or sneezes, which makes households, flights, family gatherings and childcare settings obvious places for transmission.
Early symptoms can look like an ordinary cold: runny nose, mild fever, tiredness and a cough. After a week or two, the cough can become much more distinctive, with repeated bouts that are hard to stop. Some people make the classic whoop noise when breathing in afterwards, although adults and very young babies may not. Vomiting after coughing is also possible. The cough can drag on for two to three months. Charming name, miserable illness.
The highest risk sits with babies under six months, especially before they have completed their early routine vaccines. Older children and adults may get a milder illness if they have been vaccinated before, but they can still pass infection on.
How the pertussis vaccine is used in the UK
Pertussis vaccine is not usually given as a standalone jab in the UK. It is included in combination vaccines used in the routine childhood programme, starting at eight weeks of age, with further infant doses and a pre-school booster.
For adults, the position is narrower than many travellers expect. People aged 10 and over are not routinely advised to have pertussis vaccination for travel alone, even if they are going abroad to a country reporting cases. The main adult groups considered are pregnant women, certain healthcare workers with contact with pregnant women or young babies, and people covered by public health advice during an outbreak.
Pregnant women are usually advised to have a pertussis-containing vaccine from 16 weeks of pregnancy, ideally by 32 weeks, so antibodies can pass to the baby before birth. The vaccine is given as an injection, usually into the upper arm. Common reactions are generally local and short-lived, such as a sore arm, mild fever or feeling tired. Vaccination reduces risk, but immunity after either infection or vaccination is not permanent, and a blood test cannot reliably prove protection.
Pertussis vaccine is not usually given as a standalone jab in the UK. It is included in combination vaccines used in the routine childhood programme, starting at eight weeks of age, with further infant doses and a pre-school booster.
For adults, the position is narrower than many travellers expect. People aged 10 and over are not routinely advised to have pertussis vaccination for travel alone, even if they are going abroad to a country reporting cases. The main adult groups considered are pregnant women, certain healthcare workers with contact with pregnant women or young babies, and people covered by public health advice during an outbreak.
Pregnant women are usually advised to have a pertussis-containing vaccine from 16 weeks of pregnancy, ideally by 32 weeks, so antibodies can pass to the baby before birth. The vaccine is given as an injection, usually into the upper arm. Common reactions are generally local and short-lived, such as a sore arm, mild fever or feeling tired. Vaccination reduces risk, but immunity after either infection or vaccination is not permanent, and a blood test cannot reliably prove protection.
Pertussis vaccine is not usually given as a standalone jab in the UK. It is included in combination vaccines used in the routine childhood programme, starting at eight weeks of age, with further infant doses and a pre-school booster.
For adults, the position is narrower than many travellers expect. People aged 10 and over are not routinely advised to have pertussis vaccination for travel alone, even if they are going abroad to a country reporting cases. The main adult groups considered are pregnant women, certain healthcare workers with contact with pregnant women or young babies, and people covered by public health advice during an outbreak.
Pregnant women are usually advised to have a pertussis-containing vaccine from 16 weeks of pregnancy, ideally by 32 weeks, so antibodies can pass to the baby before birth. The vaccine is given as an injection, usually into the upper arm. Common reactions are generally local and short-lived, such as a sore arm, mild fever or feeling tired. Vaccination reduces risk, but immunity after either infection or vaccination is not permanent, and a blood test cannot reliably prove protection.
How the pertussis vaccine is used in the UK
Pertussis occurs worldwide, including in countries with well-established vaccination programmes. Cases have risen again in several places since 2023 and 2024, including the UK and other countries that saw very low activity during COVID-19 restrictions.
For travellers, this means the advice is not like yellow fever, where a particular border may trigger a certificate requirement. Trips to Europe, North America, Australia, New Zealand, Asia, Africa or the Americas can all involve ordinary respiratory exposure if pertussis is circulating locally.
The more relevant details are usually your pregnancy status, your age, your childhood vaccine record, whether you will be around young babies, and whether public health guidance has identified a specific outbreak situation.
Pertussis occurs worldwide, including in countries with well-established vaccination programmes. Cases have risen again in several places since 2023 and 2024, including the UK and other countries that saw very low activity during COVID-19 restrictions.
For travellers, this means the advice is not like yellow fever, where a particular border may trigger a certificate requirement. Trips to Europe, North America, Australia, New Zealand, Asia, Africa or the Americas can all involve ordinary respiratory exposure if pertussis is circulating locally.
The more relevant details are usually your pregnancy status, your age, your childhood vaccine record, whether you will be around young babies, and whether public health guidance has identified a specific outbreak situation.
Pertussis occurs worldwide, including in countries with well-established vaccination programmes. Cases have risen again in several places since 2023 and 2024, including the UK and other countries that saw very low activity during COVID-19 restrictions.
For travellers, this means the advice is not like yellow fever, where a particular border may trigger a certificate requirement. Trips to Europe, North America, Australia, New Zealand, Asia, Africa or the Americas can all involve ordinary respiratory exposure if pertussis is circulating locally.
The more relevant details are usually your pregnancy status, your age, your childhood vaccine record, whether you will be around young babies, and whether public health guidance has identified a specific outbreak situation.
Bring your vaccine record if you have it
If pertussis has come up while planning travel, bring any vaccine records you have, or a photo of them, to your appointment. City Of London Clinic is on Goswell Road, close to Farringdon and Moorgate, with weekday and Saturday appointments. We will check whether pertussis vaccination is relevant, and also use the visit to review the other travel vaccines that may matter for your itinerary.
If pertussis has come up while planning travel, bring any vaccine records you have, or a photo of them, to your appointment. City Of London Clinic is on Goswell Road, close to Farringdon and Moorgate, with weekday and Saturday appointments. We will check whether pertussis vaccination is relevant, and also use the visit to review the other travel vaccines that may matter for your itinerary.
If pertussis has come up while planning travel, bring any vaccine records you have, or a photo of them, to your appointment. City Of London Clinic is on Goswell Road, close to Farringdon and Moorgate, with weekday and Saturday appointments. We will check whether pertussis vaccination is relevant, and also use the visit to review the other travel vaccines that may matter for your itinerary.
FAQ
Travel Health FAQs
Find clear answers to the most common travel health and malaria prevention questions.
Find clear answers to the most common travel health and malaria prevention questions.
Can I book a pertussis vaccine appointment before I know my exact travel dates?
Yes, but exact dates make the advice sharper, especially if pregnancy, a family visit or a long stay is involved. If you are pregnant, timing matters more, because the usual window is from 16 weeks and ideally by 32 weeks. If your dates are uncertain, bring what you know and we can work from that.
Do I need a whooping cough vaccine to visit a newborn abroad?
Is the pertussis vaccine suitable during pregnancy?
I had whooping cough as a child. Am I still protected?
Do I need pertussis vaccination for the USA, Australia or Europe?
Can I book a pertussis vaccine appointment before I know my exact travel dates?
Yes, but exact dates make the advice sharper, especially if pregnancy, a family visit or a long stay is involved. If you are pregnant, timing matters more, because the usual window is from 16 weeks and ideally by 32 weeks. If your dates are uncertain, bring what you know and we can work from that.
Do I need a whooping cough vaccine to visit a newborn abroad?
Is the pertussis vaccine suitable during pregnancy?
I had whooping cough as a child. Am I still protected?
Do I need pertussis vaccination for the USA, Australia or Europe?