As cases of whooping cough begin to rise again, health experts are urging people to check their vaccination status—especially when it comes to the Tdap booster. Whooping cough, also known as pertussis, is a serious respiratory infection that leads to uncontrollable coughing fits. While anyone can catch it, the illness is especially dangerous for babies. According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), about one in three infants under one-year-old who contract whooping cough end up in the hospital.

But the good news is that it’s preventable. Vaccination remains the best way to protect yourself and others from whooping cough. Two main vaccines help with this: DTaP and Tdap. But staying protected means keeping up with booster doses as recommended by experts.

What Are DTaP and Tdap Vaccines?

Both vaccines guard against three diseases—diphtheria, tetanus, and pertussis (whooping cough). The DTaP vaccine is meant for infants and young children, while Tdap is given to older children, teens, and adults.

“DTaP is given in full-strength doses during early childhood,” explains Dr Peter Chin-Hong, an infectious disease specialist at UCSF Health. “Tdap has a full-strength dose of the tetanus component and reduced doses of diphtheria and pertussis.”

Modern whooping cough vaccines use a piece of the bacteria, Bordetella pertussis, to build immunity. This acellular version causes fewer side effects while still offering strong protection.

Dr Matthew Harris, a pediatric emergency physician at Northwell Health, compares these vaccines to a seatbelt: “They don’t guarantee you won’t get pertussis, but they greatly reduce the chance of serious outcomes.”

When Should Kids Get the DTaP Shot?

Children are most vulnerable to whooping cough, and the disease can cause severe problems like pneumonia or even breathing pauses (apnea). Because of this, the CDC recommends that children receive five doses of the DTaP vaccine. The schedule is as follows:

Following this timeline helps build strong protection before kids enter school, where they are more likely to be exposed to contagious diseases.

How Long Does the Tdap Vaccine Last?

While the Tdap vaccine offers strong protection, it doesn’t last forever. Unlike vaccines like MMR (which provide long-term immunity), Tdap protection fades, especially the pertussis component.

The CDC recommends that preteens get a Tdap shot at age 11 or 12. Adults should get a booster every 10 years.

“If someone hasn’t had a Tdap before, that becomes their first dose,” says Dr Chin-Hong.

In some cases, like deep wounds or burns, an extra tetanus shot may also be needed. Your doctor will decide if you need it based on how long it’s been since your last dose and the severity of the injury.

Why Tdap Is Crucial For Babies

Infants under 2 months old are too young to receive their first DTaP dose, making them particularly at risk for whooping cough. That’s why it’s critical for anyone spending time around a newborn—parents, grandparents, siblings, caregivers—to be up to date on their Tdap vaccine.

“It’s all about cocooning the baby with people who are protected,” says Dr Chin-Hong.

Pregnant women should also get the Tdap booster during their third trimester, ideally between 27 and 36 weeks. This helps transfer protective antibodies to the unborn baby. According to the CDC, this can prevent nearly 80 per cent of whooping cough cases in newborns.

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