GSK Boostrix Settlement: NYers Who Got Whooping Cough Vaccine Could Get $50

If you got a whooping cough vaccine in New York after seeing a TV ad where a grandparent literally turned into a wolf while holding a baby, you might be owed money.

GlaxoSmithKline, now known as GSK, has agreed to a class action settlement over its "Big Bad Cough" advertising campaign for the Boostrix vaccine. A lawsuit alleged that the campaign misled consumers about the vaccine's ability to prevent whooping cough from spreading to others — especially infants.

The "Big Bad Cough" campaign ran from 2015 to 2020 and targeted grandparents with ads showing them transforming into wolves while cradling their newborn grandchildren. The message was clear: get vaccinated with Boostrix, or you could be putting your grandkids at risk. According to the lawsuit, that message was allegedly misleading. The complaint claims that Boostrix did not actually prevent the transmission of pertussis (whooping cough) to others, and that vaccinated individuals could still become asymptomatic carriers and spread the disease without knowing it.

GSK has not admitted any wrongdoing but agreed to settle to resolve the claims.

Who qualifies

You may be eligible if you're an adult who viewed the "Big Bad Cough" advertising campaign and either lived in New York or were vaccinated with Boostrix in New York between May 20, 2016 and May 20, 2020. You also need to have gotten the vaccine specifically to protect someone other than yourself — like a grandchild or another family member.

One important note: women who received Boostrix while pregnant are not eligible for this settlement.

How much you could get

If you have proof of vaccination — a record showing your name, the date, and the vaccine name — you can receive $50. If you don't have proof but can sign an attestation confirming you were vaccinated with Boostrix during the eligible period, you can receive $10.

How to file

You have until June 8, 2026 to file your claim.

Download ClassyAction to file your claim in minutes and get a reminder before the deadline.