( Tdap)
What does this vaccine help prevent?
What does this vaccine help prevent?
This vaccine helps prevent:
- Diphtheria —which causes a sore throat with thick covering in the back of the throat
- Tetanus —which causes painful muscle tightening all over the body; also known as lockjaw
- Pertussis —which causes bad coughing spells that make it difficult for infants to eat, drink, and breathe; also known as whooping cough
What Is the Tdap
Vaccine?
What Is the Tdap
Vaccine?
The Tdap vaccine contains diphtheria and tetanus toxoids, and acellular (small, purified pieces) pertussis germ.
It is given to children 7 years of age and older and to adults to protect against tetanus, diphtheria, and pertussis infections.
The vaccine is given as an injection, usually into the arm or thigh.
Who Should Get Vaccinated and When?
Who Should Get Vaccinated and When?
Tdap
Tdap is routinely recommended for children aged 11 years or older, regardless of whether or not they completed the DTaP series. Tdap can also be given to:
- Children aged 7-10 years of age who have not been fully vaccinated
- Children (aged 11 years and older) and adults who did not get the Tdap should receive the vaccine followed by a tetanus and diphtheria (Td) booster every 10 years
- Adults who
have never received Tdap
- Pregnant women (or adolescents) after
27-36
weeks gestation, for each pregnancy, even if they have received Tdap in the past
Catch-Up Schedule
If you or your child has not been fully vaccinated against
tetanus, diphtheria, and pertussis, talk to the doctor.
What Are the Risks Associated With the Pertussis Vaccine?
What Are the Risks Associated With the Pertussis Vaccine?
Most people tolerate the vaccines without any trouble. The most common side effects are:
- Pain, redness, or swelling at the injection site
- Mild fever
- Headache
- Fatigue
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Abdominal pain
Uncommon symptoms include:
- Fever over 102ºF
- Severe gastrointestinal problems
- Severe headache
Acetaminophen is sometimes given to reduce pain and fever that may occur after getting a vaccine. In infants, the medication
may weaken the vaccine’s effectiveness. However, in children at risk for seizures, a fever lowering
medication
may be important to take. Discuss the risks and benefits of taking acetaminophen with your doctor.
Who Should Not Get Vaccinated?
Who Should Not Get Vaccinated?
Most people should receive their vaccinations on schedule. However, individuals in whom the risks of vaccination outweigh the benefits include people who:
- Have had a life-threatening allergic reaction to Tdap
- Have had a severe allergy to any component of the vaccine to be given
-
Have gone into a
coma
or
have had seizures
within 7 days after a dose of Tdap
Talk with your doctor before getting the vaccine if you have:
- Epilepsy or other nervous system problems
- Severe swelling or severe pain after a previous dose of any component of the vaccination to be given
- Guillain-Barre syndrome
- Moderate or severe illness —wait until you recover to get the vaccine
What Other Ways Can Tetanus, Diphtheria, or Pertussis Be Prevented?
What Other Ways Can Tetanus, Diphtheria, or Pertussis Be Prevented?
The best way to prevent diphtheria is to get vaccinated.
Promptly clean all wounds and follow-up with your doctor for medical care to prevent a tetanus infection.
You can help prevent pertussis by keeping infants and other people at high risk away from infected people.
What Happens in the Event of a Pertussis
Outbreak?
What Happens in the Event of a Pertussis
Outbreak?
In the event of a pertussis
outbreak, all people who may have been exposed should be brought up to date with the vaccination. It is important to protect infants by isolating those who have the infection. Diagnosing the disease as quickly as possible can help control future outbreaks.
References:
Vaccinations for adults. Immunization Action Coalition website. Available at:
http://www.immunize.org/catg.d/p4030.pdf
Updated February 2015. Accessed June 10, 2015.
Fisman DN, Tang P, Hauck T, Richardson S, Drews SJ, Low DE, Jamieson F. Pertussis resurgence in Toronto, Canada: a population-based study including test-incidence feedback modeling. BMC Public Health. 2011;11:694.
Friedrich MJ. Research aims to boost pertussis control. JAMA. 2011;306(1):27-29.
Pertussis (whooping cough) vaccination. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Immunization Program website. Available at:
http://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/vpd-vac/pertussis/default.htm
Updated June 3, 2015. Accessed June 10, 2015.
Tdap vaccine: what you need to know. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website. Available at:
http://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/hcp/vis/vis-statements/tdap.pdf
Updated February 24, 2015. Accessed June 10, 2015.
10/30/2009 DynaMed’s Systematic Literature Surveillance
http://www.ebscohost.com/dynamed:
Prymula R, Siegrist C, Chlibek R, et al. Effect of prophylactic paracetamol administration at time of vaccination on febrile reactions and antibody responses in children: two open-label, randomised controlled trials. Lancet. 2009;374(9698):1339.
11/4/2011 DynaMed’s Systematic Literature Surveillance
http://www.ebscohost.com/dynamed:
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Updated recommendations for use of tetanus toxoid, reduced diphtheria toxoid and acellular pertussis vaccine (Tdap) in pregnant women and persons who have or anticipate having close contact with an infant aged <12 months—Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP), 2011. MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep. 2011;60:1424-1426.
4/1/2014 DynaMed’s Systematic Literature Surveillance
http://www.ebscohost.com/dynamed:
Bridges CB, Coyne-Beasley T, et al. Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices recommended immunization schedule for adults aged 19 years or older—United States, 2014. MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep. 2014. 63(7):110-112.
Last Updated: 8/27/2014