Pertussis vaccine for pregnant women

Why we do it

We are seeing more and more cases of pertussis. This disease directly threatens children who have not yet been vaccinated. A child receives the first dose of mandatory immunization only at 2 months of age. Meanwhile, vaccinating pregnant women protects children from the moment of birth.

As a result, Minister Izabela Leszczyna has decided to increase access to pertussis vaccination for pregnant women, allowing them to be vaccinated free of charge. Vaccination against pertussis has been a paid, recommended vaccination (according to the Immunization Program) for many years. Starting October 15, pregnant women will be able to be vaccinated with the vaccine funded by the Minister of Health at their primary care clinics.

Who can benefit from free vaccinations

The vaccination covers women between the 27th and 36th weeks of pregnancy. They will be able to be vaccinated in a single-dose schedule - without additional referrals and certificates. Eligibility for the vaccination will be decided by the PCP.

If the pregnancy is at risk of preterm delivery, the woman will be able to be vaccinated as early as the 20th week of pregnancy - this will be decided by the doctor who is in charge of the pregnancy.

How to get vaccinated

If you are pregnant and want to get vaccinated against whooping cough, starting October 15:

• Check in with your primary care physician and schedule an appointment,
• Come to the POZ for vaccination on the scheduled date.

The POZ clinic can order this vaccine on its own from the District Sanitary and Epidemiological Station (PSSE).

It's worth getting vaccinated

Vaccination of pregnant women protects infants from contracting pertussis from the day of delivery. With free vaccination, more pregnant women will have access to this protection.

Legal basis

Announcement of the Minister of Health dated October 3, 2024 on the list of recommended immunizations for which the purchase of vaccines has been covered by funding from the Minister of Health.