Pregnant?

These antibodies can also protect the baby from some of the more serious complications, including hospitalization, that come along with getting whooping cough.

Early third trimester vaccination in every pregnancy offers best protection

Protective antibodies are at their highest about 2 weeks after getting vaccinated, but it takes time to pass them to the baby. So, the preferred time to get Tdap is early in the third trimester.

The amount of whooping cough antibodies in the body decreases over time. That is why CDC recommends women get Tdap during each pregnancy, even if their pregnancies are only a year or two apart. Doing so allows each of their babies to get the greatest number of protective antibodies and best protection possible.