Why is tdap given

Tdap vaccine can prevent tetanus , diphtheria , and pertussis. Diphtheria and pertussis spread from person to person. Tetanus enters the body through cuts or wounds. Adolescents should receive a single dose of Tdap, preferably at age 11 or 12 years. Pregnant people should get a dose of Tdap during every pregnancy, preferably during the early part of the third trimester, to help protect the newborn from pertussis.

Infants are most at risk for severe, life-threatening complications from pertussis. Also, adults should receive a booster dose of either Tdap or Td a different vaccine that protects against tetanus and diphtheria but not pertussis every 10 years , or after 5 years in the case of a severe or dirty wound or burn. In some cases, your health care provider may decide to postpone Tdap vaccination until a future visit.

People with minor illnesses, such as a cold, may be vaccinated. People who are moderately or severely ill should usually wait until they recover before getting Tdap vaccine. People sometimes faint after medical procedures, including vaccination. Tell your provider if you feel dizzy or have vision changes or ringing in the ears. 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.

It can cause a thick coating to form in the back of the throat. It can lead to breathing problems, paralysis, heart failure, and death. It can also lead to weight loss, incontinence, and rib fractures. Up to 2 in adolescents and 5 in adults with pertussis are hospitalized or have complications, which could include pneumonia or death.

These diseases are caused by bacteria. 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 , cases a year of diphtheria, , cases of pertussis, and hundreds of cases of tetanus, were reported in the United States each year. Tdap vaccine can protect adolescents and adults from tetanus, diphtheria, and pertussis.

One dose of Tdap is routinely given at age 11 or People who did not get Tdap at that age should get it as soon as possible. Tdap is especially important for health care professionals and anyone having close contact with a baby younger than 12 months. 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.

Another vaccine, called Td, protects against tetanus and diphtheria, but not pertussis. It is not intended as a statement of the standard of care.

It does not explain all of the proper treatments or methods of care. It is not a substitute for the advice of a physician. Ask ACOG. Tdap tetanus toxoid, reduced diphtheria toxoid, and acellular pertussis is a vaccine that protects against three serious diseases: Whooping cough pertussis is a highly contagious disease that causes severe coughing.

Newborns and babies are at high risk of severe whooping cough, which can be life-threatening. However, administer each vaccine using a separate syringe and, if possible, at a different anatomic site. There is a small increased risk of febrile seizures in children 6 through 23 months of age when giving trivalent inactivated influenza vaccine IIV3 with DTaP according to a Vaccine Safety Datalink study external icon.

However, CDC made no changes in the recommendations; you may give these vaccines at the same time. Top of Page. Skip directly to site content Skip directly to page options Skip directly to A-Z link.

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