At what age is the first pertussis (whooping cough) vaccine administered to a child?

From the Guidelines

The first pertussis vaccine is typically administered to infants at 2 months of age as part of the DTaP (diphtheria, tetanus, and acellular pertussis) combination vaccine. This is the first dose in a series of five DTaP vaccinations that provides protection against whooping cough. After the initial dose at 2 months, subsequent doses are given at 4 months, 6 months, 15-18 months, and 4-6 years of age to build and maintain immunity 1. This early vaccination schedule is crucial because infants are particularly vulnerable to pertussis complications, which can include pneumonia, seizures, brain damage, and even death. Pertussis is highly contagious and causes severe coughing spells that can make it difficult for babies to breathe, eat, or drink. The vaccine works by stimulating the immune system to produce antibodies against the pertussis bacteria without causing the disease itself, providing essential protection during the most vulnerable period of a child's life. Some key points to consider when administering the pertussis vaccine include:

• The minimum age for the first dose of DTaP is 6 weeks, with the second and third doses administered no earlier than 4 weeks after each preceding dose 1.
• The recommended routine pertussis, tetanus, and diphtheria vaccination schedule for persons aged 2 months–6 years is comprised of five doses of vaccine containing diphtheria and tetanus toxoids, and pertussis antigens (DTaP), administered at ages 2,4,6,15–18 months and 4–6 years 1. It's worth noting that while there are different vaccination schedules and guidelines, the most recent and highest quality study recommends starting the pertussis vaccine series at 2 months of age 1.

From the FDA Drug Label

A double-blind, randomized, active Diphtheria and Tetanus Toxoids (DT)-controlled trial conducted in Italy assessed the absolute protective efficacy of INFANRIX when administered at 2,4, and 6 months of age In preparation for this study, 3 doses of INFANRIX were administered at 3,4, and 5 months of age to more than 22,000 children living in 6 areas of Germany in a safety and immunogenicity study.

The first pertussis vaccine is administered to a child at 2 months of age or 3 months of age, depending on the study 2.

From the Research

Pertussis Vaccine Administration

• The first pertussis vaccine is typically administered to a child at 2 months of age, as part of a combined diphtheria, tetanus, and acellular pertussis (DTaP) vaccine 3.
• The DTaP vaccine is usually given in a series of three doses, with the first dose administered at 2 months, the second dose at 4 months, and the third dose at 6 months of age 4, 3.
• The vaccine is highly immunogenic and safe, providing a long-term immune response against pertussis 3.
• Studies have shown that the DTaP vaccine provides good protection against pertussis in the first year of life, with vaccine effectiveness ranging from 55.3% to 83.5% depending on the number of doses and age group 5.

Vaccine Schedule

• The recommended vaccine schedule for pertussis includes:
  • First dose: 2 months of age
  • Second dose: 4 months of age
  • Third dose: 6 months of age
  • Booster doses: typically given at 15-18 months and 4-6 years of age 4, 6, 3
• Delayed vaccination or undervaccination can increase the risk of pertussis, highlighting the importance of adhering to the recommended vaccine schedule 6.