Whooping cough- known
medically as pertussis- is a highly contagious respiratory tract infection.
Although it initially resembles an ordinary cold, whooping cough may
eventually turn more serious, particularly in infants. The best way to
prevent it is through vaccinations. The childhood vaccine is called DTaP.
The whooping cough booster vaccine for adolescents and adults is called
Tdap. Both DTaP and Tdap protect against whooping cough, tetanus and
diphtheria. Recommended vaccine ages are listed below:
Age/Status
|
Recommendations
|
Birth through
6 years
|
DTaP is routinely
recommended at 2, 4, and 6 months, at 15 through 18 months, and at 4 through
6 years.
|
7 through 10 years
|
Tdap is recommended for
children ages 7 through 10 years who are not fully vaccinated (see not 1)
against pertussis:
·
Single
dose of Tdap for those not fully vaccinated or
·
If
additional doses of tetanus and diphtheria toxoid-containing vaccines are
needed, then children aged 7 through 10 years should be vaccinated according
to the catch-up schedule, with Tdap preferred as the first dose.
|
11 through 18 years
|
Tdap is routinely
recommend as a single dose for those 11 through 18 years of age with
preferred administration at 11 through 12.
If adolescents (13-18 miss getting Tdap at 11-12 yrs. then administer
at the next patient encounter or sooner if that adolescent has close contact
with infants.
|
19 years and older
|
Andy adult 19 yrs. of
age or older who has not received a dose of Tdap should get one as soon as
feasible- to protect themselves and infants.
This Tdap booster dose can replace one of the 10-year Td booster
doses. Tdap can be administered
regardless of interval since the previous Td dose. Shorter intervals between Tdap and last Td
may increase the risk of mild local reactogenicity but may be appropriate if
your patient is at high risk for contracting pertussis, such as during an
outbreak, or has close contact with infants.
|
Pregnant women
|
Pregnant women should
get a dose of Tdap during each pregnancy, preferable at 27 through 36 weeks gestation. By getting Tdap during pregnancy, maternal
pertussis antibodies transfer to the newborn, likely providing protection
against pertussis in early life, before the baby starts getting DTaP
vaccines. Tdap will also help protect
the mother at time of deliver, making her less likely to transmit pertussis to
her infant. It is important that all
family members and caregivers of the infant are up-to0date with their
pertussis vaccines (DTaP or Tdap, depending on age) before coming into close
contact with the infant.
|
Health Care
Personnel
|
A single dose of Tdap is
recommended for health care personnel who have not previously received Tdap
as an adult and have direct patient contact.
Tdap vaccination can protect health care personnel against pertussis
and help prevent them from spreading it to their patients. Priority should be given to vaccinating
those who have direct contact with babies younger than 12 months.
Tdap can be administered
regardless of interval since the previous Td dose. However, shorter intervals between Tdap and
last Td may increase the risk of mild local reactogenicity.
|
Taken from the CDD
at http://www.cdc.gov/Vaccines/vpd-vac/pertussis/default.htm
POSTED BY: Ilana Kutinsky,
DO
