Whooping cough (pertussis) is an infection of the lungs and breathing tubes that spreads easily and can be serious. It's important for babies, children and anyone who is pregnant to get vaccinated against it. The whooping cough vaccine is given:

• The 6-in-1 vaccine – for babies at 8, 12 and 16 weeks
• The 4-in-1 pre-school booster – for children aged 3 years 4 months

If you are pregnant, you should also have the whooping cough vaccine. You usually have it when you are around 20 weeks pregnant. This helps protect your baby for the first few weeks of their life.

Speak to your GP surgery or midwife if you are 20 weeks pregnant and have not been offered the whooping cough vaccine. For more information about whooping cough visit: Whooping cough - NHS (www.nhs.uk)