Vaccination against pertussis: aims and strategy

Current vaccination policy, with the first jab around the age of two months, leaves the youngest infants unprotected against pertussis (whooping cough). Young infants, however, are most vulnerable for the diseases and can even die of it. According to the Health Council of the Netherlands, antibodies from the mother can offer effective and safe protection. To this end pregnant women should be offered vaccination against pertussis in the third trimester of pregnancy.