Pertussis (Whooping Cough)

Pertussis is a bacterial respiratory illness characterized by severe spasms of coughing that can last for several weeks or even for months. Pertussis is usually spread from person to person when a person coughs or sneezes. Before the introduction of vaccination in the 1940s, pertussis was a frequent cause of serious illness and death among infants and young children in the United States.

Children need four doses of DTaP by 15 months and a Tdap booster at age 11 or 12.

Adults need a tetanus/diphteria (Td) booster every 10 years after the primary series has been completed. For adults, age 18–64 years old, a 1-time dose of Tdap for protection from pertussis is recommended to replace the next Td.  Intervals of 2 years or less between Td and Tdap is suggested, but not required.