Whooping Cough & the Pertussis Vaccine:

A Guide for Teens

Recently, a new vaccine was developed to help teens from getting “whooping cough” also known as pertussis. Bacteria called Bordetella pertussis cause whooping cough. You may have gotten vaccines for whooping cough when you were a young child, but the protection often wears off by the time you are a teen. That is why middle schools and high schools have had lots of students with this disease. Read more to learn about the pertussis vaccine and whether or not it is something you should get.

What is pertussis and how do you get it?

Pertussis is an infection that causes severe coughing. It is also called “whooping cough” because of the “whoop-like” sound that occurs when you breathe air into your lungs. It normally starts with a runny nose, mild fever, and a cough that gets worse with time and lasts for many weeks. Sometimes the cough is so bad that you can throw up. A person catches pertussis if they come in close contact with another person who has it. When a person who has pertussis sneezes or coughs, tiny droplets of bacteria (that you can’t see) go into the air. People who are nearby can breathe in the pertussis bacteria, which can then cause whooping cough.

Who is at risk for getting pertussis?

Anyone can get pertussis. Babies are at greatest risk since they are not completely protected from pertussis until they get all their pertussis shots. By 15 to 18 months, a child should have received four pertussis shots with a fifth one just before starting school (see glossary item: DTaP). Teenagers and adults are also at risk because the protection from these early vaccines wears off over time. Anyone living or spending time in close quarters, such as in college dormitories or in classrooms, is at risk for getting pertussis because it is so easily spread from person to person.

How many people get pertussis each year?

In the early 1940s, before the vaccine was available, about 200,000 people in the United States got pertussis each year. As you might imagine, after people started getting vaccinated, fewer people got sick. Since then, however, the number of teenagers and adults getting pertussis has increased. This is most likely because the vaccine from childhood wears off over time.

How can I protect myself from getting pertussis?

One of the best ways to help protect yourself is by getting the new Tdap vaccine (Tetanus, diphtheria, acellular pertussis). The Tdap vaccine was approved for use in 2005. It is a vaccine created for teenagers and adults to prevent three different bacterial infections: tetanus, diphtheria, and pertussis. Tdap is a booster shot, meaning it will help remind your immune system to fight against infection if you have received the first group of pertussis shots, called DTaP (Diphtheria, Tetanus, acellular Pertussis), when you were younger.

What is DTaP?

DTaP is the pertussis vaccine most people receive when they are a baby and young child. Unlike the Tdap booster shot, DTaP is stronger and given in five different shots at 2 months, 4 months, 6 months, 15-18 months of age, and before starting school (age 4-6 years). You need to get all the DTaP vaccines to help your body make the antibodies that target pertussis. Antibodies are small particles created by your immune system to fight infection.

How does the vaccine work?

The way the vaccine works is actually pretty simple. When you get the DTaP vaccine, you are getting parts of the inactive pertussis bacteria. “Inactive” means that the part of bacteria in the vaccine is not able to cause an infection. Once you get the shot, your body makes antibodies to fight the inactive bacteria. These antibodies also help protect you if you come in contact with someone who has pertussis.

At what age should I get the Tdap vaccine?

It is best to receive the Tdap vaccine at your 11-12 year old checkup with your health care provider. However, you can receive the vaccine anytime between 11-18 years of age in order to protect yourself from pertussis. The Tdap vaccine can replace the Td (Tetanus diphtheria) vaccine that is currently recommended for use in adolescents.

How many shots do I need?

As a teen, you will only need a single booster shot if you already had the first group of DTaP vaccines when you were a baby and young child. Check with your health care provider to make sure you had the first five DTaP vaccinations before getting the Tdap booster vaccine.

How long will I be protected from pertussis if I am vaccinated?

It is not known exactly how long the Tdap booster shot will protect you from pertussis. Although the vaccine does not prevent pertussis 100% of the time, the vaccine will greatly decrease the chance of getting a pertussis infection.

If I get vaccinated and then come in contact with someone with pertussis, do I need to do anything?

Yes, it is recommended that anyone who comes in close contact with someone with pertussis call or make an appointment with his or her doctor. Your doctor may have you take an antibiotic, a medicine that helps kill the pertussis bacteria. This will help decrease the spread of whooping cough to others, especially young infants, although your chances of getting pertussis infection are much less if you receive the Tdap vaccine.

Are there any side effects?

After getting the pertussis vaccine, it is possible to have:

• Swelling - where you got the shot
• Soreness - in the arm where you got the shot
• Mild fever
• Tiredness

Is there any reason I should wait or not get the Tdap vaccine?

Most teens can get the Tdap with no problems. However, there may be a reason why you should wait or not get the vaccine. Check the questions below. If you answer yes to any of them, be sure to talk to your health care provider about whether it is a good idea for you to get the Tdap vaccine:

• Have you ever had a serious allergic reaction, such as anaphylaxis, when you got a vaccine?
• Have you ever had prolonged seizures or other serious neurologic condition after receiving a pertussis-containing vaccine?
• Are you pregnant? Pregnant teens should get the vaccine immediately after delivery to protect themselves as well as their babies, who can get very sick with pertussis infection.
• Do you have a condition or are you taking any medications that suppress your immune system? If so, you may not get as much protection from the vaccine.
• Have you received the Td (Tetanus diphtheria) booster shot recently? If so, to lessen the chance of getting a sore arm where you get the shot, it is best to wait at least 2 years after you’ve had the Td booster before you get the Tdap booster vaccine.

Is there anything I should ask my health care provider before I get the vaccine?

Yes. It’s a good idea to ask your health care provider the following questions so you can learn about your vaccine history.

1. Did I have the first group of DTaP vaccines as a baby or young child?
2. Are there any medical reasons why I should not get the vaccine?
3. When should I call the doctor if I don’t feel well after getting the vaccine?
4. What if I come in contact with someone who has whooping cough?

Written by the Center for Young Women's Health Staff

Posted 2/2/2007

Related Information:

• Tips for Staying Healthy
• Related Links