What Is Tdap Vaccination? — Conclusion

Who needs a Tdap vaccine?

The Tdap vaccination occurs at age 11 or 12 in the United States. Adults who did not receive the Tdap as an adolescent should also have the shot. It is especially important for people who work in healthcare settings, such as hospitals or nursing homes.

Small children are very vulnerable to infection, and newborns cannot receive a DTaP vaccine for several months. Anyone who regularly comes into contact with or cares for newborns and other infants should get the Tdap vaccine.

Pregnant women should also get a Tdap vaccine with every new pregnancy.

Tdap vaccine and pregnancy

Newborns cannot receive the first dose of their DTaP vaccination until they are two months old. Before then, they are vulnerable to pertussis, in particular, which can be fatal for infants.

To protect newborns, the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists recommends that pregnant women receive the Tdap vaccine between weeks 27 and 36 of every pregnancy, even if they had a Tdap vaccine before. The vaccine allows the mother’s antibodies to be passed on to their baby, protecting against whooping cough for the first few months of life. Research shows indicates that is the best way to protect newborns against a potentially fatal whooping cough infection.

Clinical trials have shown the vaccines are safe for both pregnant mothers and babies. Research shows that pregnant women are unlikely to experience serious adverse side effects from the vaccine. Further studies show the vaccinations do not harm fetuses or neonates, and that babies whose mothers receive a Tdap vaccine during pregnancy do not have any increased risk of low birth weight, short gestation, or other health anomalies at birth.

If you are unsure whether you should receive a Tdap vaccine during pregnancy or any other point in adulthood, talk to your doctor about your vaccination history and whether you are at risk for tetanus, diphtheria, or pertussis.

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