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Travel Clinic

Whooping Cough (Pertussis) Vaccine in London

A booster vaccine protecting against whooping cough (pertussis). Particularly important for pregnant women, new parents, and anyone in close contact with young babies.

Starting from

£79

Booster protection against pertussis — a highly contagious respiratory infection. Especially important for pregnant women and those in close contact with newborns.

Price

£39 per dose

Doses

1 (single booster)

Protection

5–10 years

Safe in pregnancy

Yes (recommended)

Appointment

~10 minutes

Overview

Whooping cough (pertussis) is a highly contagious bacterial infection of the respiratory tract. It causes prolonged bouts of intense coughing that can last for weeks — the characteristic 'whoop' sound occurs when the person gasps for breath between coughs. In young babies, pertussis can be life-threatening. The NHS routinely offers pertussis vaccination to pregnant women between 16 and 32 weeks of pregnancy. At Holborn Clinic, we provide the booster privately for anyone who wants protection — particularly grandparents, partners, and carers who will be in close contact with a new baby.

Holborn Travel Clinic is inside Boutalls Pharmacy at 60 Lamb's Conduit Street, London WC1N 3LW, minutes from Holborn and Russell Square stations.

Who Needs This Vaccine?

  • Pregnant women — ideally between 16 and 32 weeks of pregnancy. This is the most important group, as maternal antibodies cross the placenta and protect the baby in the first weeks of life.
  • Close contacts of newborns — grandparents, partners, siblings, and carers ('cocooning' strategy).
  • Adults who have not had a pertussis booster in the last 10 years and work with young children or in healthcare.
  • Travellers to areas where whooping cough outbreaks are common.

What to Expect

  • A single injection in the upper arm. The appointment takes approximately 10 minutes.
  • The vaccine is usually given as a combination that also boosts diphtheria and tetanus protection.
  • For pregnant women, the optimal timing is between 16 and 32 weeks of each pregnancy.

Side Effects

  • Very common: mild pain or tenderness at the injection site.
  • Common: headache, fatigue, or mild fever for 24–48 hours.
  • Serious side effects are extremely rare. The vaccine is safe in pregnancy — it has been used routinely in the NHS pregnancy programme since 2012.
Vaccines

Related Vaccines

Other vaccines available at our London clinic. Your pharmacist will confirm what you need for your trip.

Yellow Fever VaccineChikungunya VaccineCholera Vaccine (Dukoral)COVID-19 Vaccine (Private)
View all vaccines
Enquiries

Whooping Cough (Pertussis) Vaccine FAQ’s

The NHS offers a free pertussis booster to all pregnant women. However, if you are not pregnant but want a booster (e.g. as a grandparent about to spend time with a newborn), you can get it privately at Holborn Clinic.

Ready to Book?

Same day appointments available. Call ahead to book. No consultation fees.

Book an AppointmentCall 0207 405 1039