Tetanus, Diphtheria, and Pertussis (Tdap) Vaccine for Adults
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Why should we receive the Tdap vaccine?
A: Tetanus, diphtheria, and pertussis are very serious diseases. The Tdap vaccine can protect us from these diseases. In addition, Tdap vaccines given to pregnant women can protect newborn babies against pertussis. Tetanus (Lockjaw) is rare in the United States today. It usually causes painful muscle tightening and stiffness. It can lead to tightening of muscles in the head and neck so you can’t open your mouth, swallow, or sometimes even breathe. Tetanus kills about 1 out of 10 people who are infected even after receiving the best medical care. Diphtheria is also rare in the United States today. It can cause a thick coating to form in the back of the throat. It can lead to breathing problems, heart failure, paralysis, and death. Pertussis (whooping cough) causes severe coughing spells, which can cause difficulty in breathing, vomiting, and disturbed sleep. Up to 2 in 100 adolescents and 5 in 100 adults with pertussis are hospitalized or have complications, which can include pneumonia or death. Diphtheria and pertussis are spread from person to person through secretions from coughing or sneezing. Tetanus enters the body through cuts, scratches, or wounds.
Before vaccines, as many as 200,000 cases of diphtheria, 200,000 cases of pertussis, and hundreds of cases of tetanus were reported in the United States each year. After vaccinations began, reports of cases for tetanus and diphtheria dropped by about 99 percent and about 80 percent for pertussis . However there has been a rapid upward trend in the incidence of pertussis in recent years, so Tdap vaccinations are recommended by many medical organizations including Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the World Health Organization (WHO), and is one of the mandatory vaccines for American college students before enrolling.
Q: How to get a Tdap vaccination?
A: Tdap vaccines can protect adolescents and adults from tetanus, diphtheria, and pertussis. One dose of Tdap is routinely given at age 11 or 12. People who did not get Tdap at that age should get it as soon as possible.
Pregnant women should get a dose of Tdap during every pregnancy, to protect the newborn from pertussis. Infants are most at risk for severe, life-threatening complications from pertussis. The best time for a pregnant woman to get a vaccination is between 27-36 weeks of pregnancy, so as to allow mothers to produce enough antibodies to give the most protection to the newborn.
Tdap is especially important for healthcare professionals and anyone having close contact with a baby younger than 12 months. To establish a protective environment, it’s generally recommended to receive the vaccine two weeks before having contact with a baby.
Q: Besides Tdap, is there any other vaccine that protects against tetanus, diphtheria or pertussis?
A: Infants from 2 months old should get a Tdap vaccination (alone or use combined vaccines alternatively). The Tdap vaccine mothers received during pregnancy is to protect newborns and infants less than 2 months old. Another vaccine, called Td, protects against tetanus and diphtheria, but not pertussis. A Td booster should be given every 10 years. Tdap may be given as one of these boosters if you have never gotten Tdap before. Tdap may also be given after a severe cut or burn to prevent tetanus infection.
Sources:
The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists www.acog.org
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention:
https://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/vpd/pertussis/index.html