Early pertussis vaccination best in pregnancy
18th March 2016
The optimum time for pertussis vaccine in pregnancy is 28 weeks' gestation and perhaps even earlier, a Melbourne study has shown.
Levels of pertussis antibody in placental blood are significantly higher when pertussis booster vaccine (Boostrix) is given at 28-32 weeks compared with 33-36 weeks, research by Monash University has found.
The findings confirm that newborns will get the best protection for free pertussis vaccine if given to women at 28-32 weeks, the researchers report in the American Journal of