Pertussis Awareness Day
Educating communities on the importance of vaccination to protect against a highly contagious respiratory disease.
Drive vaccination uptake and awareness among parents and healthcare providers by positioning pertussis protection as essential preventive care, especially for pregnant women and young children.
- Share vaccination timelines: DTaP for kids under 7, Tdap for older children/adults/pregnant women
- Partner with pediatricians to promote third-trimester Tdap for expectant mothers
- Highlight whooping cough contagiousness and real-world health impacts to motivate action
- Distribute free educational materials (posters, fact sheets) through schools and clinics
Pertussis Awareness Day, celebrated on November 8, was founded by initiatives of the Immunisation Foundation of Australia. Otherwise known as Whooping Cough Day, the event was first established in 2023 to improve public awareness and increase education about this pervasive and highly contagious illness.
Get Vaccinated Against Whooping Cough
Depending on the place a person lives or the age of the person, the exact vaccines for whooping cough may be slightly different. Most pediatricians will recommend the pertussis vaccine that goes along with a normal vaccine regimen in children. In the US, children younger than 7 can receive the DTaP vaccine, while older children, teens and adults are eligible for the Tdap. Pregnant women are also recommended to get the Tdap in the third trimester of every pregnancy to help protect their baby while starting out in the world. Check out more information on the CDC website.
Share Pertussis Awareness with Others
One of the best ways to get involved with Pertussis Awareness Day is to make sure everyone in your sphere of influence is in-the-know! Individuals might be interested in sharing information about the disease and the day through social media such as Facebook, Instagram, X, Snapchat and others. Schools, medical professionals and other organizations, especially those in Australia, can get the word out with free posters, flyers and fact sheets provided on the website for the Immunisation Foundation of Australia.