When should I be vaccinated against whooping cough?
It is recommended to vaccinate everyone against whooping cough. After the second month of life, children are vaccinated for the first time according to the STIKO (permanent vaccination commission of the Robert Koch Institute) vaccination calendar against pertussis together with other infectious diseases by the pediatrician. After that, 3 more vaccinations are given after the 3rd month of life, the 4th month of life and the 11th -14th month of life.
Booster vaccinations are given between the ages of 5 and 6 years and 9-17 years. In adulthood a booster vaccination is administered once. There should be at least 10 years between the vaccination and the last vaccination in childhood. If vaccinations are missed, they can be made up – even in adults. Due to the widespread vaccination in Germany, the disease is now rare.
When is a refresher necessary?
The first booster of the pertussis vaccination is given to children after 5-6 years of age after successful basic immunization (four doses of vaccine at the age of 2-14 months). The second booster is given at 9-14 years of age, the last booster in childhood at 15-17 years of age. A last booster is required in adulthood, at the earliest 10 years after the last childhood vaccination. After that, life-long protection should be provided.
How often must whooping cough be vaccinated?
According to the STIKO (permanent vaccination commission of the Robert Koch Institute), the first vaccination should be given after the 2nd month of life. Thereafter after the 3rd month, after the 4th month and after 11-14 months of life. Then the basic immunization is completed.
This is followed by the booster vaccinations. These should be given for the first time between the age of 5-6, then between the age of 9-14 and then again between the age of 15-17. In adulthood a booster should be given again 10 years after the last booster. Afterwards lifelong protection should be provided.
