Pertussis (whooping cough)

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In order to further support the Pertussis immunisation programme NHS Education for Scotland in partnership with Health Protection Scotland has revised it’sresources for registered healthcare practitioners. These can be found below and include training slides (and accompanying notes) and a ‘question and answer’ resource.

Please note:  These educational resources continue to be updated as required to support this programme but do not replace the clinical judgement of practitioners. Practitioners should refer to the Public Health England Green Book Chapter when administering the vaccine.

Learning Resources

This learning resource has been designed to help equip registered healthcare practitioners with the essential knowledge and skills needed to effectively deliver the pertussis immunisation programme.  

Whether you are new to pertussis vaccination or seeking to enhance your expertise, these materials provide up-to-date guidance, best practices, and key insights to support safe and effective immunisation.

After completing this resource registered healthcare practitioners will be able to:

  • Recognise your role in raising the issue of vaccination against pertussis with all women in the antenatal period and provide women with evidence based information about this vaccination
  • Describe the aetiology and epidemiology of pertussis
  • Describe how pertussis is transmitted and the severity of it in young infants
  • Discuss the important role of vaccination against pertussis during pregnancy for the protection of young infants
  • Describe how the vaccine should be prepared for use and administered
  • Recognise sources of additional information
     

For detailed guidance on the use of the pertussis vaccine, healthcare practitioners should refer to Chapter 24 of the Green Book.  

Alternative Formats

This resource may be available, in full or summary form, in alternative formats and community languages.  Please contact NHS Education for Scotland on 0131 656 3200 or email altforms@nes.scot.nhs.uk to discuss how we can best meet your requirements.

Transcripts of any videos within this resource are available on request.