How do vaccines against whooping cough work?

Whooping cough, or pertussis, can cause intense coughing spells that make breathing difficult and can be dangerous for babies. Modern vaccines use purified components of the bacterium, known as acellular vaccines, rather than whole cells. These vaccines are often combined with tetanus and diphtheria protection in the same shot. Because protection can wane over time, boosters are recommended in adolescence, adulthood, and during pregnancy in many countries to protect newborns. Vaccination is important because infants are at the highest risk of complications and death.