Introduction of the programme

A safe and highly effective maternal pertussis vaccination programme was first introduced in October 2012, using dTaP/IPV (a combined tetanus, diphtheria, pertussis and polio-containing vaccine) to protect young infants from birth at highest risk of severe disease.

Evaluation of the programme in England has shown that maternal pertussis vaccination gives a very high level of protection against confirmed disease and death from pertussis in infants under 3 months of age.

Review of evidence

In October 2022, following a review of the latest evidence, the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) advised a preference for a non-IPV-containing pertussis vaccine in the maternal programme.

This followed studies measuring antibody levels in the infants of mothers who had received polio-containing vaccines (dTaP/IPV) in pregnancy. These studies showed lower antibody responses to polio (after completion of their primary infant schedule) compared to infants born to unvaccinated mothers, although all remained above the protective threshold.

New vaccine recommended

To address this potential immunity gap caused by the blunting of the infant’s polio response to primary vaccines, a non-IPV-containing (Tdap) vaccine, brand name ADACEL, has now been procured.

Tdap vaccine has been shown to have an excellent safety profile and to be effective in the maternal pertussis vaccine programmes in many other European countries, the USA and Australia, with millions of doses administered worldwide.

Key changes

From 1 July 2024, the preferred vaccine used in the programme will change to ADACEL.

The ADACEL vaccine, manufactured by Sanofi Pasteur, was licensed for UK use in 2016 and contains antigens to:

• tetanus
• diphtheria
• pertussis (acellular)

The summary of product characteristics (SmPC) is available.

Scottish Government have released a CMO letter to highlight these changes.

ADACEL will be available for recording on the Vaccine Management Tool (VMT) from 1 July 2024.

ADACEL® vaccine supply

ADACEL is now available to order.

There is a limit of 5,400 doses per account per week. If this limit is too low for your health board, please contact PHS.

ADACEL is the preferred vaccine for vaccination from 16 weeks of pregnancy. However, it is not suitable for people with latex allergy.

For those with latex allergy, or where ADACEL is not available, Boostrix IPV or Repevax can continue to be used.

All pertussis-containing vaccines should be stored at 2 to 8°C, in the original packaging.

National specimen Patient Group Direction (PGD)

A national specimen Patient Group Direction (PGD) has been issued to NHS boards which combines all pertussis-containing vaccines.

Please refer to your locally approved PGD alongside the training materials from NHS National Education for Scotland (NES).

Informed consent materials

PHS has updated the information to support informed consent for the pertussis vaccine offered from week 16 of pregnancy. 

From 1 July 2024, the vaccine offered will change from a 4-in-1 vaccine to a 3-in-1 vaccine providing protection against pertussis, diphtheria and tetanus. 

This new leaflet replaces the previous version.

Please recycle any old stock as it should no longer be used from 1 July 2024. 

You can also direct patients to NHS inform for further information, including the leaflets in alternative languages and formats (such as British Sign Language and Easy Read).

To order the leaflet in other languages or alternative formats (such as Easy Read and large print), email phs.otherformats@phs.scot

Workforce education materials

Workforce education materials will be available shortly, subject to availability of the updated Green Book chapter.

Find out about the workforce education materials on TURAS.