Tdap Vaccine in Pregnancy Pros and Cons

Tdap vaccine is a combination vaccine that protects against a variety of diseases. It provides protection against 3 diseases for teenagers and elders: tetanus, diphtheria, and pertussis (whooping cough).

Although tetanus and diphtheria are no longer common in the United States, whooping cough is still prevalent in the country. Tdap is an abbreviation for tetanus (T), diphtheria (D), and acellular pertussis (aP). In 2005, the Tdap vaccine was made available to older children and adults. In the years prior to 2005, there was no pertussis vaccine available for anyone older than 6 years of age.

Tdap is clearly different from the DTaP vaccine, which is given in five doses to babies and kids beginning at the age of 2 months. Tdap is only for anyone over the age of seven. 

If you are 18 years of age or older, the CDC advises that you receive a dose of Tdap instead of your next Td (tetanus and diphtheria) booster if you meet the following criteria: Tdap vaccination is something you've never had before. You can't recall if you've ever received the Tdap vaccine. 

You should get a Tdap booster prior to the 10-year period if you meet the following criteria: you intend to have a close connection with a baby under the age of 12 months. You're expecting a child.

The risk of having a life-threatening allergic response to the Tdap vaccine is extremely low, but there are some individuals who should avoid receiving the vaccine. These people are as follows: 

Individuals who have previously experienced a life-threatening allergic reaction to any vaccine containing DPT-related biologicals should not receive the vaccine. Children who are younger than 7 years of age. Consult your doctor if you are experiencing seizures or if you have some underlying condition that affects your nervous system.

Tdap Vaccine Pregnancy Pros

Pregnant women should have a Tdap vaccine between weeks 27 and 36 of pregnancy, according to CDC. If you're pregnant, whooping cough is less likely to spread to your baby if you've had the vaccine. Whooping cough is more inclined to cause dangerous, life-threatening consequences in infants. 

In addition to protecting you from infection during pregnancy, getting the flu shot and the Tdap vaccine during pregnancy can also help protect your baby after birth before he or she can be vaccinated against diseases. This is critical because the flu and whooping cough are especially dangerous for infants.

Tdap Vaccine Pregnancy Cons

The majority of Tdap vaccination side effects, including those associated with vaccination during pregnancy, are mild or moderate in intensity and self-resolving. The most common side effects are as follows:

At the injection site, 

• erythema
• swelling
• pain
• tenderness 

Other side effects include,

• Body-ache
• Fatigue
• Fever
• Anaphylactic reaction (rare)
• Autoimmune disorder (rare)

Severe adverse effects are extremely uncommon, particularly in adults.