Whooping cough

What is whooping cough (pertussis)?

Pertussis is a highly contagious illness. It can lead to severe coughing fits, combined with sickness, which can last for weeks. This can even lead to respiratory arrest. Occasionally, this can also lead to pneumonia, a middle ear infection and damage to the brain and there is also a chance of seizures. It takes 3 to 12 days from infection for the initial signs of illness to appear. Pertussis is particularly dangerous for infants. 1 in 100 infants die from pertussis.

Treatment is provided in the form of antibiotics.

Pertussis is passed on via droplet transmission, most notably through coughs and sneezes. Babies are mainly infected by their parents. This is why regular booster vaccinations for adults are extremely important.

Vaccination advice for children

The pertussis vaccination is part of the free child vaccination programme in Austria. It is part of a six-part vaccination with diphtheria, tetanus, polio, haemophilus influenzae and hepatitis B.

Vaccination schedule

First vaccination: At 3 months Second vaccination: At 5 months
Third vaccination: At 12 – 14 months
Fourth vaccination*: At 7 – 9 years old
*as a 4-part vaccination with diphtheria, tetanus and polio

Vaccination advice for adults

The booster vaccination is given in the form of a combination vaccination, which also protects against diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis and also polio.

Booster vaccinations:
• Every 10 years (those under 60)
• Every 5 years (those over 60)

The level of protection is 90% – 95%.

Vaccination advice for pregnant women

Keuchhusten ist speziell für Säuglinge gefährlich. Die werdende Mutter kann ihrem Baby über die Nabelschnur Abwehrstoffe für die ersten Monate mitgeben. Deshalb wird eine Auffrischungs-Impfung gegen Keuchhusten zwischen der 27. Schwangerschafts-Woche und der Geburt empfohlen, wenn die letzte Impfung der Mutter bei der Geburt bereits mehr als 2 Jahre zurückliegt.

Information and consultancy service

Not yet vaccinated against pertussis? Or not been vaccinated in a long time? Having trouble finding your vaccination pass?