Whooping Cough Vaccine
Whooping cough (pertussis) vaccination, a single dose often chosen by pregnant women or adults topping up their protection.
At a glance
Injection
Single dose; free on the NHS in pregnancy via your midwife or GP.
Whooping cough (pertussis) is a highly contagious lung and airway infection that can be serious, especially for very young babies. The NHS offers a free vaccine to every pregnant woman to protect her newborn, and many new grandparents and other adults also choose to top up their own protection. We offer the vaccine privately at our Preston clinic for anyone who wants it outside that NHS pathway.
What is whooping cough?
Whooping cough is an infection of the lungs and breathing tubes that spreads very easily and can be serious. It usually starts with cold-like symptoms before developing into bouts of coughing, sometimes with the characteristic “whoop” sound as you gasp for breath, although young babies and some adults may not make this sound. Babies under 12 months are most at risk of serious complications, including breathing difficulties and pneumonia.
Who should have the whooping cough vaccine?
If you’re pregnant, the vaccine is free on the NHS, usually given around 20 weeks (any time from 16 up to 32 weeks) in every pregnancy. It passes protective antibodies to your baby through the placenta, covering them until their own first NHS dose at 8 weeks old. If you’re pregnant and haven’t had it yet, your midwife or GP is the right place to start, as this dose is free.
Outside pregnancy, the NHS doesn’t run a routine programme offering the vaccine to grandparents or other family of a newborn, so it isn’t something your GP will typically offer automatically. Even so, people close to a new baby, along with adults whose childhood immunity has likely faded, often choose it privately for extra peace of mind.
Doses, schedule and cost
The whooping cough vaccine is given as a single dose by injection into the upper arm, at a cost of £55. This is a private, one-off dose and is entirely separate from the free NHS dose offered in pregnancy.
Common questions
Is the whooping cough vaccine free if I’m pregnant?
Yes, via your midwife or GP around 20 weeks. We’d always recommend having your free NHS dose rather than paying privately if you’re eligible.
Should grandparents have the whooping cough vaccine before meeting a new baby?
The NHS doesn’t currently offer this as a routine programme for grandparents or other close family, so you won’t usually be invited for it. Some choose it privately anyway, particularly if they’ll be spending a lot of time around a very young baby.
Can I have the whooping cough vaccine again if I had it as a child?
Yes. Protection from childhood vaccination, or from having had whooping cough before, is likely to have faded by adulthood, so a private top-up is an option if you want renewed protection.
Book your whooping cough vaccination in Preston
Book a consultation with our team, or explore our full vaccination range to see everything available at Longridge Travel Health Clinic.
Other Vaccinations We Offer
Compare doses and prices across our vaccination range, all given at our Longridge clinic near Preston.
Shingles Vaccine
2-dose courseShingles vaccination with Shingrix, the same vaccine used in the NHS programme, given privately as a two-dose course.
Meningitis B Vaccine
2-dose coursePrivate MenB (Bexsero) vaccination for teenagers, students and adults in Preston.
Pneumococcal Vaccine
1-dose coursePneumococcal vaccination protects against the most common cause of bacterial pneumonia, given as a single dose.
Vaccination Questions Answered
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Do I need a GP referral for a private vaccination?
No. You can book directly with us for any of the vaccines on this page. Same-day appointments are usually available, and there is no waiting list.
How much do private vaccinations cost?
Individual vaccines range from £40 to £240, and the price includes your appointment with the pharmacist. Meningitis B is priced separately at £140 per dose (£280 for the two-dose course). Get in touch and we will confirm the exact price for the vaccine you need before you book.
Which vaccines can I get free on the NHS instead?
Several, but only for certain ages or groups. Shingles, for example, is free on the NHS from age 65, and whooping cough is offered in pregnancy. If you are not sure whether you already qualify, ask us when you get in touch and we will always tell you honestly rather than sell you something you could get free elsewhere.
Can children have these vaccines?
For suitable vaccines, yes. We will confirm what is appropriate for your child’s age at the appointment. Some services at the clinic, such as blood tests and ear wax removal, are 16 and over, but vaccination age depends on the specific jab.
Is the private vaccine the same as the NHS one?
Yes. We use the same vaccines used in the NHS programmes, for example Shingrix for shingles and the standard MMR vaccine. The difference is convenience and access, not the vaccine itself.
Do you vaccinate for travel?
Travel vaccines are handled separately because the advice depends on where you are going. See our travel health service for hepatitis A, typhoid, yellow fever, rabies, Japanese encephalitis and anti-malarial tablets.
How long does each vaccine last?
It varies by vaccine. MMR gives long-lasting protection after two doses; shingles protection is strong but not lifelong; flu is an annual jab. Our pharmacist will explain what to expect for the vaccine you are having.
Can I get more than one vaccine in the same visit?
Often yes, depending on the vaccines. Tell us what you are after when you book and we will advise whether they can be given together or need spacing out.
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Ready to Get Protected?
Same-day and weekend appointments at our Longridge clinic, serving Preston, Clitheroe and the wider Ribble Valley. Tell us which vaccine you need and we will usually fit you in the same day.
