Questions & Answers
Tdap Vaccine
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Is there a vaccine that protects adolescents and adults against
pertussis (whooping cough)?
Yes. Tdap is a combination vaccine that protects people 10 through 64
years of age against tetanus, diphtheria and pertussis (whooping cough). It
is the first vaccine that protects older children and adults against
pertussis.
Why do adolescents and adults need Tdap?
Even people who have had the disease or have been fully vaccinated as
children may be at risk of contracting pertussis. Studies have shown that
immunity to pertussis begins to wane five to ten years after the person had
the disease, or after the last vaccination. Pertussis is endemic in our
community – meaning someone is always sick with pertussis – so people who
are not protected, for whatever reason, can and do contract it.
I thought older kids and adults didn’t get very sick from whooping
cough. Is that true?
The most severe complications are usually found in children, but it is
estimated that 600,000 to 900,000 adolescents and adults get pertussis every
year. Not only do they suffer from severe coughing fits for weeks or months,
they can also infect unprotected infants, who can die from the disease.
Are there different types of Tdap vaccine?
Yes. There are two vaccines on the market; one that is licensed for
people 10 through 18 years of age, (called Boostrix) and another one (Adacel),
which is licensed for people 11 through 64 years of age.
At what age can a child receive the new Tdap vaccine?
The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) routinely recommends the Tdap
immunization for 11 year-old children. However, it can be given to 10
year-old children if the correct vaccine is available. Immunizing children
as early as possible is a good strategy when whooping cough is present in
the community, as it is in Boulder County. It's a good idea for parents to
get the vaccine too!
Even though he is entering middle school this fall, my child won't be 11
years old until October. Why does he need the Tdap before school starts?
Colorado requires the vaccine for students entering middle school (even
if they are only 10 years old) because our state has one of the highest
incidences of whooping cough in the nation. Boulder County has one of the
highest number of cases in the state. Our data show that most cases occur in
middle-school students. The next highest number of cases occurs in high
school students, and the third highest occur in adults. We want kids to be
protected from this highly contagious disease before they return to the
group setting of classrooms where whooping cough can easily be transmitted.
My teen received all of the doses of the childhood DTaP vaccine? Does she
still need Tdap?
Yes. Immunity gained from the DTaP vaccine given to children looses
effectiveness beginning five years after the last dose of DTaP is given; by
ten years, almost no protection against tetanus, diphtheria or pertussis is
present.
What if my son did not receive the childhood DTaP vaccine? Can he get
Tdap as a teen?
Yes; however, he will not be protected against tetanus or diphtheria. In
order to be protected against those two diseases, he will need to get two
more immunizations of the tetanus/diphtheria (Td) vaccine.
What are the side effects of Tdap? Does it contain thimerosal?
Tdap does not contain thimerosal. People have experienced mild side
effects to the vaccine like pain at the injection site, fever, headache,
chills, nausea, diarrhea, and fatigue
Why are the intervals between Td and Tdap important?
An exaggerated reaction to the Td immunization, which causes the whole
arm to swell, is more likely to occur when people receive tetanus and
diphtheria vaccines close together. However, in situations when a person is
at risk for developing pertussis disease, it may be worth the risk of a sore
arm in order to gain protection against pertussis.
What is considered to be a high-risk situation that calls for a shorter
interval between Td and Tdap immunizations?
The CDC recommends that Tdap be given at intervals shorter than five
years when:
- There is pertussis disease in the community
- People will be in contact with infants younger than one year of age
(in order to decrease the chances they could infect an infant who could
die from the disease).
- Health care workers who will be in contact with pregnant women;
infants; young children; or middle and high school students.
Where can I get the Tdap vaccine?
Most private physicians carry at least one brand of the vaccine. Boulder
County Public Health immunization clinics have vaccine for children and
adults 10 through 64 years of age.
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Please Note: All information is general
in nature and should
not substitute seeking proper medical
attention.
Citation: This information has been
compiled from resources provided by the Centers for Disease
Control (CDC). For more information on the CDC, visit their
website at:
www.cdc.gov/.
Immunization Program
Boulder County Public Health
3450 Broadway, Boulder, CO 80304, (303) 413-7500
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