Who Needs the Boostrix Vaccine? What Adults Should Know About the Rise of Whooping Cough

Vaccination is not just for children. As we go about our busy lives, travelling, working, caring for loved ones, it is easy to forget that some vaccine protections fade with time. One of the most overlooked is the adult booster against whooping cough (pertussis), a highly contagious respiratory infection that has been resurging globally [1], including in parts of Asia and Singapore.

For most adults, pertussis may just mean weeks of persistent coughing. But for infants, older adults, and those with weakened immunity, exposure can be dangerous. It can even be life-threatening. Many adults may not even realise they are infectious, unknowingly putting loved ones at risk.

At Phoenix Medical Group, we believe prevention should continue well into adulthood. In this blog, we will explain why the Boostrix (Tdap) booster is increasingly important, who should consider it, and how a single jab can help protect not just yourself, but those around you.

A Comeback Disease?

It might sound like something from the past, but whooping cough is making a worrying return worldwide. Recent outbreaks in Japan [2], Australia [3], and parts of Europe [4] have highlighted how contagious and disruptive this respiratory infection can be, even in adults.

Closer to home, Singapore has seen a steady rise [5] in whooping cough notifications over the past decade. While many assume childhood vaccinations offer lifelong protection, immunity from the DTaP series wanes over time, leaving adults and those around them at risk.

For most adults, the infection may appear as a stubborn cough. But for infants, especially those under six months who have not completed their primary vaccinations, whooping cough can lead to severe illness, hospitalisation, or even death. This is where Boostrix, the adult pertussis booster, plays a crucial role.

What Is Whooping Cough and Why Is It a Concern?

Whooping cough is a bacterial infection that spreads through respiratory droplets, coughing, sneezing, or close contact. It begins like a common cold, but within days, the cough becomes persistent, violent, and uncontrollable, often ending in a high-pitched “whoop” sound. However, this is less common in adults.

In adults, whooping coughs often go undiagnosed or misdiagnosed as a lingering cough or bronchitis. But even mild cases can be highly infectious for weeks, passing the bacteria on to newborns, the elderly, or those with weakened immune systems.

Infants under six months old are especially vulnerable, as they are not yet fully protected by vaccines. Nearly half of all babies who contract whooping cough require hospital care. That is why public health efforts increasingly focus on immunising adults who live or work with young children.

The Role of Boostrix (Tdap Booster Vaccine)

Boostrix is a combination vaccine that protects against tetanus, diphtheria, and pertussis (Tdap). It is specifically designed for use in adolescents and adults, especially as a booster after childhood DTaP vaccinations.

While tetanus boosters are commonly given every 10 years, the pertussis component is often overlooked. Many adults in Singapore have not received a Tdap booster in over a decade or at all.

Boostrix is:

• Safe and well tolerated in adults
• Administered as a single injection
• Suitable for pregnant women, caregivers, and healthcare workers

It is also the only adult Tdap booster available in Singapore approved for use from age 10 onwards.

Who Should Consider Getting Boostrix?

Whooping cough is a highly contagious respiratory infection that can be especially dangerous [6] for infants and the elderly. While childhood vaccinations provide early protection, immunity tends to wane over time. That is where Boostrix comes in. It is designed for adolescents and adults who need renewed protection, not just for themselves, but for those around them.

Whether you are travelling, working in a high-risk environment, or caring for young children, Boostrix can help prevent the silent spread of pertussis in our communities.

Travellers to Countries With Outbreaks

If you are heading to Japan, Australia, or any region with a current pertussis outbreak, a booster is highly recommended. Crowded airports, public transport, and tourist attractions can quickly become hotspots for respiratory infections.

Even if you do not fall ill, you could bring a whooping cough home unknowingly, placing family members, especially infants or elderly relatives, at risk.

Healthcare and Childcare Workers

If your work brings you into regular contact with vulnerable populations, you are on the front line of potential transmission. This includes, but is not limited to, the following professions:

• Doctors
• Nurses
• reschool teachers
• Eldercare staff

Many healthcare institutions globally now recommend, or require, regular Tdap boosters for staff. Protecting your patients, co-workers, and yourself starts with staying up to date on your vaccines.

Grandparents and Caregivers of Young Children

Adults are the primary source of whooping cough transmission to infants, often without realising it. This is why the “cocooning strategy” is widely encouraged. By vaccinating parents, grandparents, nannies, and close contacts, we help form a protective ring around babies too young to be fully immunised.

In Singapore, multigenerational households are common. As such, a simple booster jab could make all the difference in keeping your home a safer space.Grandparents and Caregivers of Young Children.

Pregnant Women Between 16 - 32 Weeks Pregnancy

Pregnant women between 16–32 weeks of pregnancy, regardless of prior Tdap vaccination. This protects the baby from whooping cough in their first months of life. Singaporean citizens are partially subsidised under the National Adult Immunisation Schedule (NAIS).

Pertussis Vaccination in Singapore: What You Need to Know

You can receive the Boostrix vaccine at Phoenix Medical Group clinics island-wide. The process is straightforward and quick:

• Eligibility – recommended for anyone who hasn’t had a Tdap booster in the past 10 years
• Pregnancy – safe in the third trimester to protect the baby through passive immunity
• Side Effects – mild and short-lived. May include sore arm, low-grade fever, fatigue
• Cost – reasonably priced, as subsidies may apply under certain health schemes

If you are unsure of your vaccination history, our doctors can help determine whether you are due for a booster.

Final Thoughts: A Simple Jab for Peace of Mind

Whooping cough is back, but so is prevention.

A quick, single-dose vaccine like Boostrix does not just protect you. It shields newborns, ageing parents, and those with weaker immune systems from a potentially life-threatening infection.

If it has been 10 years or more since your last tetanus jab, or if you have never received a pertussis booster as an adult, this vaccination is something to consider.

Take the first step today by booking your Boostrix vaccination with us. We offer same-day appointments, professional advice, and a care experience that is centred on your health, your comfort, and your peace of mind.

References

1. (N.d.). researchgate.net. Retrieved July 15, 2025, from https://www.researchgate.net/publication/387457091_Pertussis_in_Southeast_Asia_country-level_burden_and_recommendations_from_the_Global_Pertussis_Initiative

2. Japan’s whooping cough cases hit a new weekly high of over 3,300. (2025). In The Straits Times. https://www.straitstimes.com/asia/east-asia/japans-whooping-cough-cases-hit-new-weekly-high-at-over-3300

3. Quinn, H., Johnston, N., & Williams, P. (2025). Australia’s whooping cough surge is not over. In and, it doesn’t just affect babies. https://theconversation.com/australias-whooping-cough-surge-is-not-over-and-it-doesnt-just-affect-babies-257808

4. Khalil, A., Samara, A., Campbell, H., Ladhani, S. N., & Amirthalingam, G. (2024). Recent increase in infant pertussis cases in Europe and the critical importance of antenatal immunisations: We must do better…now. In International Journal of Infectious Diseases (Vol. 146, p. 107148). Elsevier BV. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijid.2024.107148

5. (N.d.). channelnewsasia.com. Retrieved July 15, 2025, from https://www.channelnewsasia.com/singapore/whooping-cough-pertussis-cases-rise-holiday-travel-lack-updated-vaccination-4813401

6. Lauria AM, Zabbo CP. Pertussis. [Updated 2022 Oct 7]. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2025 Jan-. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK519008/