Confirmation of national pertussis vaccination and immunisation catch-up campaign for 2024/25

You will be aware that practices are required to participate in a national vaccination and immunisation campaign each year, as a requirement of the GP contracts.

Due to the number of cases of pertussis increasing and the recent infant deaths, the 2024/25 campaign will focus on the pertussis vaccination programme for pregnant women.

Pregnant women are eligible for their pertussis vaccination from 16 weeks of pregnancy. Receiving vaccination between 20 and 32 weeks of pregnancy provides optimal protection. Vaccination may still be given after week 32 of pregnancy until delivery; however it may not offer as high a level of passive protection to the baby.

We would like practices to undertake a pertussis marketing campaign, with a focus on preventing illness, sharing information with pregnant women around the benefits of getting vaccinated, using all relevant opportunities to signpost to pertussis vaccination, and offering pertussis vaccination opportunistically to pregnant women registered with the practice.

Please follow this link to download the letter in full

and the Pertussis resources