The UK has experienced its worst outbreak of pertussis (whooping cough) in 20 years, with 13 deaths reported in young infants from January to October 2012. The Department of Health introduced a programme to vaccinate pregnant women between 28 and 38 weeks of pregnancy to protect infants who are too young to be vaccinated. However, uptake for women about to give birth during December 2012 was approximately 55 per cent. Nurses and midwives have a vital role in ensuring vaccination coverage among pregnant women, including providing evidence-based information. This article presents information on signs, symptoms and complications of pertussis, diagnosis, treatment, epidemiology and prevention.