Whooping Cough Vaccination
£90 per dose · Same-week appointments available · Open 7 days
About the Whooping Cough Vaccination
Whooping cough (pertussis) is a highly contagious bacterial respiratory infection caused by Bordetella pertussis. It is characterised by severe and prolonged coughing fits — often followed by a distinctive whooping sound on inhalation — which can last for weeks to months, earning it the name "the hundred-day cough." Whilst distressing in older children and adults, whooping cough is potentially life-threatening in infants under six months of age who are too young to be fully vaccinated.
Pertussis vaccination is included in the UK childhood immunisation schedule, but immunity wanes over time. Adults — particularly those in contact with young infants — are an important reservoir for transmission. The pertussis vaccine is most commonly given as a combined preparation alongside tetanus, diphtheria, and polio (DTaP/IPV). Pregnant women are routinely offered pertussis vaccination from 16 weeks of gestation to protect newborns through passive immunity.
Who should have this vaccination?
- Adults planning a pregnancy, or who have recently become pregnant — vaccination from 16 weeks protects the newborn through transferred maternal antibodies
- Grandparents and close family contacts of newborn infants ("cocooning" vaccination strategy)
- Healthcare workers in contact with pregnant women or infants
- Adults whose last pertussis-containing vaccine was more than ten years ago
- Individuals with chronic respiratory conditions who are at increased risk of complications
Vaccination schedule
A single booster dose of a pertussis-containing vaccine is recommended for adults who require protection. For pregnant women, the vaccine is ideally given between 16 and 32 weeks of each pregnancy. For those seeking protection as a household contact of a newborn, vaccination should ideally be administered at least two weeks before the baby's arrival to allow immunity to develop. The combined vaccine also updates protection against tetanus, diphtheria, and polio simultaneously.
Frequently asked questions
How much does the Whooping Cough vaccine cost at The Vesey?
The Whooping Cough vaccine is available at The Vesey Private Hospital from £90 per dose. Book online or call 0121 387 3727.
Do I need an appointment for vaccinations at The Vesey?
Yes, we recommend booking in advance to ensure availability. Same-week appointments are usually available. Book online or call 0121 387 3727. We are open 7 days a week including Sundays.
Is the Whooping Cough vaccine available on Sundays in Sutton Coldfield?
Yes. The Vesey is open every day of the week including Sundays from 8am to 8pm — the only private clinic in Sutton Coldfield with 7-day access for vaccinations.
When in pregnancy should I have the whooping cough vaccine?
The whooping cough vaccine (as part of the Boostrix IPV or Repevax combined vaccine) is recommended between 16 and 32 weeks of pregnancy, ideally from 20 weeks to allow maximum antibody transfer to the baby. Vaccination after 32 weeks is less effective at protecting the newborn.
How does the whooping cough vaccine in pregnancy protect my baby?
Maternal antibodies cross the placenta to the foetus during the third trimester, providing the baby with passive immunity from birth until they can begin their own vaccination course at 8 weeks. This is particularly important as newborns are most vulnerable to severe whooping cough in the first few months of life.
Do adults need a whooping cough booster?
Immunity from childhood vaccination wanes over time. Adults who have not been vaccinated in the last 10 years and are in close contact with newborns (grandparents, carers, healthcare workers) are encouraged to consider a booster. The combined Boostrix IPV or Repevax vaccine is used.
Is the whooping cough vaccine combined with other vaccines?
Yes. In adults and pregnant women, whooping cough (pertussis) vaccination is given as part of a combined vaccine (Boostrix IPV or Repevax) that also covers tetanus, diphtheria, and polio. A single injection is therefore highly efficient — covering four diseases in one.
Live availability — book directly below
Open 7 days · 8am–8pm · Unit 3, The Courtyard, Sutton Coldfield B75 7BU · Free parking · CQC-regulated
Getting the Whooping Cough Vaccination at The Vesey
The Vesey Private Hospital in Sutton Coldfield provides the Whooping Cough Vaccination without the delays associated with NHS appointment backlogs. Same-week appointments are frequently available, and no GP referral is required — you can book directly online or by calling 0121 387 3727.
Why vaccinate privately at The Vesey?
- Same-week availability — appointments typically available within days, not weeks
- Open 7 days including Sundays — 8am to 8pm with no weekend surcharge
- No GP referral needed — book directly online or by calling 0121 387 3727
- Expert travel health advice — our clinical team provides destination-specific vaccination schedules and travel health guidance
- CQC-regulated — rated 4.87 out of 5 from 700+ independently verified Doctify reviews
- Free on-site parking — immediately outside the clinic, serving Sutton Coldfield, Birmingham, Walsall, Tamworth, and the wider West Midlands
Corporate vaccination programmes
The Vesey offers workplace vaccination programmes for businesses across the West Midlands. On-site vaccination clinics can be arranged for groups of any size. Contact corporate@thevesey.co.uk or call 0121 387 3727 for further information and a quote.
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Book your Whooping Cough Vaccination
The Vesey · Sutton Coldfield · Open 7 days 8am–8pm · £90 per dose