Skip directly to search Skip directly to A to Z list Skip directly to navigation Skip directly to page options Skip directly to site content

Prevention

The best way to protect against pertussis is with vaccines. Clinicians can also use preventive antibiotics to protect people who have been exposed and are at high risk of developing severe pertussis.

Vaccination

CDC recommends pertussis vaccines for infants, children, adolescents, and adults. Clinicians should give five doses of DTaP to children 2 months through 6 years of age. CDC recommends one dose of Tdap for those 11 years or older, with a preferred administration at 11 or 12 years of age. CDC also recommends Tdap for pregnant women during each pregnancy, with a preferred administration during the early part of gestational weeks 27 through 36. Get more information on pertussis vaccines.

Postexposure Antimicrobial Prophylaxis (PEP)

CDC supports targeting postexposure antibiotic use to persons at high risk of developing severe pertussis and to persons who will have close contact with those at high risk of developing severe pertussis. Learn more about use of PEP.

Top of Page

Related Pages

TOP