The Pertussis Vaccination Programme was introduced in October 2012, following a recommendation from the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) that a temporary programme of pertussis (pregnant women) vaccination be implemented to respond to an ongoing outbreak resulting in a number of infant deaths across the country. 

Pertussis immunisation should ideally take place from the 20th to the 32nd weeks of each pregnancy (but can be offered from 16 weeks and after 32 weeks).

The recommended vaccine for this programme is Boostrix®-IPV (containing diphtheria, tetanus, acellular pertussis and inactivated polio antigens – dTaP/IPV. If Boostrix®-IPVis is not available, Repevax® (dTaP/IPV) may be used as an alternative. Vaccines for this programme can be ordered via ImmForm.