Pathogen
The bacterium Bordetella pertussis.
Patient services
Pertussis (whooping cough)
Source: RKI vaccines A–Z. Patient information, not medical advice.
← Back to lexicon
Transmission
Droplet infection, very contagious (transmission rate up to 90 % among unvaccinated contacts).
Clinical picture
Weeks of coughing fits with the typical "whooping" inspiration, apnoea in infants. Complications: pneumonia, seizures.
Vaccine protection
Acellular pertussis vaccine. Protection wanes after years → booster important.
Who should be vaccinated?
All infants. Adults once (Tdap). Pregnant women: in every pregnancy in the 3rd trimester (passive protection for the newborn).
Vaccination schedule (STIKO)
- 1. Dosis (2 Monate)
- 2. Dosis (4 Monate)
- 3. Dosis (11 Monate)
- Auffrischung (5–6 J.)
- Auffrischung (9–16 J.)
Booster: Einmalig im Erwachsenenalter als Tdap. Schwangere: in jeder Schwangerschaft im 3. Trimenon.
Further information on Pertussis (whooping cough): RKI vaccines A–Z.
