A quick overview: the pertussis (whooping cough) vaccine is given in a series in childhood with boosters throughout life, and specific timing depends on age and pregnancy considerations. Direct answer

• Infants and children: The DTaP vaccine is given as a 5-dose series typically at 2, 4, and 6 months, with boosters at 15–18 months and again at 4–6 years. A later booster is not required for routine early childhood protection, but older individuals receive boosters via Tdap or Td to maintain protection against tetanus, diphtheria, and pertussis. These schedules are designed to establish and sustain immunity during childhood and adolescence.

• Adolescents: A single Tdap dose is recommended around age 11–12 years. After that, a Td or Tdap booster is advised every 10 years to maintain protection. If a person didn’t receive Tdap in adolescence, catch-up vaccination is advised.

• Adults: Adults who have never had Tdap should receive one Tdap dose, followed by a Td or Tdap booster every 10 years. If planning pregnancy, receiving a Tdap during each pregnancy (between 27 and 36 weeks, ideally earlier in that window) helps protect the newborn by transferring antibodies.

• Pregnancy: The maternal pertussis vaccine during pregnancy is intended to protect the newborn in the first weeks of life, with the maternal antibody transfer providing passive protection until the infant can begin their own vaccines. The recommendation is typically to vaccinate during pregnancy, ideally between 27 and 36 weeks, but it can be given earlier in some guidelines.

• Healthcare workers and adults in close contact with infants: In many countries, boosters every 10 years continue to be recommended, and certain high-risk groups (like healthcare workers) may have additional guidance.

Key notes

• The most important public health goal is to protect newborns who are too young to be fully vaccinated. Pregnant people getting a Tdap during pregnancy is a widely endorsed strategy to provide passive protection to the baby after birth.

• Exact timing and availability can vary by country or region, so local vaccination guidelines should be consulted for the precise schedule applicable to the user’s location. If you’d like, I can tailor the timing details to your country.

If you want, I can pull the latest country-specific schedules and offer a concise, location-specific chart.