Whooping cough (also known as pertussis) is an infectious disease that causes coughing and difficulty breathing. It can be very serious in young babies.
They can catch whooping cough from family/whānau so make sure you, your older children and extended family are up-to-date with vaccinations.
For some people they may be eligible to receive a funded vaccine. Your Unichem and Life Pharmacists are able to vaccinate you against whooping cough.
The whooping cough vaccination is free for some people from some pharmacies. Vaccination is free for:
Pregnant women aged 13 years and above from 16 weeks
All adults at 45 and 65 years of age as immunity reduces (same vaccine as the tetanus booster)
If you do not meet the above criteria then your Pharmacist is still able to vaccinate you against whooping cough if you are 18 years and older but as it is not funded you will have to pay.
Living Rewards members receive 10 Living Rewards points when they receive a Boostrix Vaccination.
