Pertussis (known as whooping cough) is a highly contagious, airborne disease of bacterial origin. The first symptom is a persistent cough, which increases in intensity until it causes respiratory crises.

The most intense symptoms can be a health hazard, as can complications from other bacterial infections, with the risk of extreme outcomes increasing in children under one year of age.

The vaccination schedule includes 3 doses, administered according to the Italian National Vaccination Plan at 3, 5 and 11 months. The first booster dose, scheduled at 6 years of age, is an integral part of primary immunisation, with subsequent booster shots given every 10 years.

The vaccine is composed of the anatoxin (the neutralised bacterial toxin) of pertussis. It is administered intramuscularly. In Italy it is in conjugate form with the tetanus and diphtheria vaccine.