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# Pertussis vaccine

Whole-cell or acellular vaccine (purified components such as pertussis toxin) that protects infants from severe whooping cough.

Updated 2026-11-01

- Class: [Bacterial and antimalarial vaccines](https://durgical.com/en/pharmacology/classes/bacterial-and-antimalarial-vaccines/)
- Target: Immune response against Bordetella pertussis and its toxin
- ATC code: J07AJ02
- WHO Model List of Essential Medicines

Also called: Whooping cough vaccine, Whole-cell DTP (DTwP), Acellular DTaP / Tdap

◆**Immune response against Bordetella pertussis and its toxin**Pertussis vaccine

ⓘ The figure shows pertussis toxin from Bordetella pertussis, the main antigen of acellular vaccines (as toxoid).

**Target in 3D:** Immune response against Bordetella pertussis and its toxin. PDB structure 1PRT (RCSB PDB, public domain). [View the structure at RCSB PDB](https://www.rcsb.org/structure/1PRT) · Drag to rotate · pinch to zoom

## Mechanism of action

Pertussis is mainly a toxin-mediated disease: its toxins paralyse respiratory cilia and inflame the airway. Whole-cell vaccine contains inactivated bacteria; acellular vaccine contains purified antigens (pertussis toxoid, filamentous haemagglutinin, pertactin and others). Antibodies neutralise the toxin and hinder bacterial attachment.

- Vaccine supplies inactivated bacteria or purified antigens
- Antibodies form against the toxin and adhesins
- Less attachment to epithelium and toxin neutralised
- Maternal IgG after vaccination in pregnancy protects the young infant

## Pharmacokinetics

**Distribution**
IgG induced in the pregnant woman crosses to the fetus and protects in the first months

**Elimination**
Acellular vaccine immunity wanes over the years; antibodies after Tdap fall markedly within the first year

## Indications

- Childhood series combined with diphtheria and tetanus
- Vaccination in every pregnancy (Tdap) to protect the newborn

## Adverse effects

### Common

- Local pain, redness and swelling, more with whole-cell vaccine
- Fever and irritability

### Serious (rare, important)

- Moderate or severe systemic reactions (rare)
- Anaphylaxis (very rare)

## Contraindications

- Encephalopathy with no other cause within seven days of a previous dose
- Previous anaphylaxis to a dose or component

## Key interactions

**Diphtheria and tetanus toxoids**
Almost always given in the same combination vaccine; contraindications of the pertussis part apply to the whole combination

## What is monitored

- Fever, persistent crying or neurological reactions after the dose
- Gestational age when vaccinating in pregnancy

## Administration and safety

- Intramuscular route, within a combination vaccine
- Do not confuse the paediatric formulation (DTaP/DTwP) with the adult one (Tdap)
- Record product and batch

## Nursing care

- Ask about seizures or encephalopathy after previous doses
- Watch for fever and inconsolable crying in the following hours
- In pregnancy, explain that the vaccine protects the baby in its first months

## Pregnancy and breastfeeding

Tdap is recommended in every pregnancy to protect the newborn with maternal antibodies.

## Memory aid

Acellular = "fewer reactions, shorter protection": better tolerated than whole-cell, but its protection fades sooner.

## Test yourself

Think of the answer, then tap the question to see it.

## Why were acellular pertussis vaccines developed?

Because local and systemic reactions were frequent with whole-cell vaccine; acellular vaccine uses purified antigens.

## Why is Tdap given in every pregnancy?

So maternal IgG crosses to the fetus and protects the infant during the months before its own series is complete; maternal antibodies fall within the first year.

## What is the classic neurological contraindication to pertussis-containing vaccines?

Encephalopathy with no other identifiable cause within seven days of a previous dose.

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## Related drugs

- [Diphtheria vaccine (diphtheria toxoid)](https://durgical.com/en/pharmacology/diphtheria-vaccine/)
- [Tetanus vaccine (tetanus toxoid)](https://durgical.com/en/pharmacology/tetanus-vaccine/)

[← Back to the class: Bacterial and antimalarial vaccines](https://durgical.com/en/pharmacology/classes/bacterial-and-antimalarial-vaccines/)

Educational content on how drugs work; not a prescribing guide and no substitute for a health professional's advice. No doses are given.

Sources: [Chapter 16: Pertussis | Pink Book | CDC](https://www.cdc.gov/pinkbook/hcp/table-of-contents/chapter-16-pertussis.html) (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2021); [ATCDDD - ATC/DDD Index](https://atcddd.fhi.no/atc_ddd_index/?code=J07AJ) (WHO Collaborating Centre for Drug Statistics Methodology, 2026); [eEML - Electronic Essential Medicines List](https://list.essentialmeds.org/) (World Health Organization, 2025).

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Representative model, for educational purposes only.

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