What Are The Possible Side Effects
Most people who get a vaccine that helps protect against diphtheria, tetanus, and whooping cough do not have any serious problems with it. With any medicine, including vaccines, there is a chance of side effects. These are usually mild and go away on their own within a few days, but serious reactions are possible.
Td/ipv Vaccine Administered In Error
As Td/IPV vaccine does not protect against pertussis, a dose of dTaP/IPV should be given as soon as possible after the error is realised.
Healthcare professionals should report the administration error via their local governance system so that the appropriate action can be taken, lessons can be learned and the risk of future errors minimised.
Causes Of Whooping Cough
The Bordetella pertussis bacterium is spread by airborne droplets from the upper respiratory tract and is highly infectious. The time from infection to appearance of symptoms is between six and 20 days. A person is infectious for the first 21 days of their cough or until they have had five days of a 10-day course of antibiotics. In countries where immunisation rates are high, the risk of catching whooping cough is low.In Victoria, most reports of whooping cough currently occur in adults over 20 years of age. Recent research has shown that family members, household contacts and carers are the main source of whooping cough infection in babies.
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Why Do I Need The Whooping Cough Vaccine In Pregnancy
Whooping cough is a serious infection that causes coughing and choking, making it hard to breathe. Babies that are too young to be vaccinated are at risk of getting whooping cough and this can be very serious. Most will have to be hospitalised and some, sadly, may die.
Getting this vaccination while you’re pregnant will help protect your baby from developing whooping cough in the first few weeks of their life. The immunity you get from the vaccine passes through the placenta to your unborn baby. This will protect them until they are vaccinated at two months old.
Babies born to vaccinated mothers are 91% less likely to get whooping cough than babies whose mothers are not vaccinated.
Is A Booster Shot Needed After The Dtap Shots Are Completed
Everyone — including adults — from age 11 up should receive a booster vaccine, called Tdap. It’s a combined tetanus, diphtheria, and pertussis booster vaccine.
If you are pregnant, you should also get the vaccine, preferably between weeks 27 and 36. You need to get the vaccine each time you are pregnant.
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What Is Whooping Cough
Whooping cough is caused by a type of bacteria called Bordetella pertussis . This bacteria damages the lining of your nose, throat and breathing tubes and causes the coughing. The cough can go on for weeks or months. Whoop describes the sound that some children make after coughing.
Whooping cough can be very serious in babies, young children and older adults. Older children are usually less unwell but the cough and vomiting can be distressing. Adults may just have an irritating cough that goes on much longer than usual.
Spread From Other Animals
Uncertainties have existed of B. pertussis and whooping cough as a zoonotic disease since around 1910 but in the 1930s, knowledge was gained that the bacteria lost their virulent power when repeatedly spread on agar media. This explained the difficulties to reproduce results from different studies as the pre-inoculating handlings of the bacteria were not standardized among scientists.
Today it is established that at least some primate species are highly susceptible to B. pertussis and develop clinical whooping cough in high incidence when exposed to low inoculation doses. The bacteria may be present in wild animal populations, but this is not confirmed by laboratory diagnosis, although whooping cough is known among wild gorillas. Several zoos also have a long-standing custom of vaccinating their primates against whooping cough.
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Caring For Whooping Cough At Home
Mild cases of whooping cough can be treated at home. Stay at home and away from people who are not in your family/whnau bubble for 3 weeks. This is to stop the infection spreading. If you are taking antibiotics, this isolation time goes down to 5 days from the day the antibiotics were started.
Make sure you and your child get as much rest as you can. Caring for your child with whooping cough is hard work, and the cough is often worse at night. Encourage small healthy meals and plenty of fluids.
If the cough is painful you can use paracetamol for pain relief. Make sure you follow directions and measure children’s doses accurately. Never give more than the recommended dose. If unsure, ask your healthcare provider or pharmacist for advice.
Where Can I Get A Whooping Cough Vaccination From
If you’re searching online for ‘pertussis vaccination near me or nearby’ or need any kind of immunisations be aware that you can get pertussis shots in Australia at any authorised immunisation provider, a community health centre, and travel clinics such as Travelvax.
Getting vaccinated against whooping cough is highly recommended if you are travelling. And if you need any health information regarding pertussis, talk with your doctor or immunisation provider.
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Older Babies And Young Children
In older babies and young children, the illness has 3 stages:
The early stage
It starts with a runny nose and eyes, mild fever and sneezing just like a cold. This lasts 1 or 2 weeks.
The second stage
Next, there is an irritating cough. Over a week or two, the cough gets worse and your child will have bouts of coughing. They gasp for air between each bout of coughing. They get very red in the face. These spells last many minutes and they may vomit food or spit after the coughing. The cough often gets worse with swallowing or eating. It is very distressing for both parent and child.
The final stage
The final stage is the long recovery stage. The symptoms gradually get milder, but the cough continues for weeks.
Are There Any Risks To Me Or My Baby If Im Immunised While Im Pregnant
There’s no evidence that immunising pregnant women with this type of vaccine can cause any harm.
Its much safer for you to have the vaccine than to risk your newborn catching whooping cough.
The whooping cough vaccine isn’t a live vaccine so it cant cause whooping cough in women who have the immunisation, or their babies. A recent study in the UK found no safety concerns related to getting immunised against whooping cough when pregnant. Studies from the US of immunising pregnant women against whooping cough have also found no evidence of risk to pregnant women.
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How Does Whooping Cough Spread
Whooping cough spreads easily through the air when a person who has whooping cough breathes, coughs, or sneezes. Almost everyone who is not immune to whooping cough will get sick if exposed to it. A person can spread the disease from the very beginning of the sickness and for at least 2 weeks after coughing starts.
Since symptoms can be mild for some people, your baby can catch whooping cough from adults, grandparents, or older brothers or sisters who dont know they have the disease.
So How Can I Protect My Baby
The only way you can help protect your baby from getting whooping cough in their first few weeks after birth is by having the whooping cough vaccination yourself while you are pregnant.
After vaccination, your body produces antibodies to protect against whooping cough. You will then pass some immunity to your unborn baby.
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Risks Associated With The Vaccine
- In some overseas trials of acellular pertussis, between 0.7 and 2.6 recipients in 10,000 had fits or shock-collapse neither of which cause long-term problems. These reactions have not happened in overseas trials of the vaccine now being used in New Zealand.
- There is no association between the vaccine and sudden unexpected death in infancy .
- Anaphylaxis is very rare.
Immunisation is your choice. If you have questions, talk to your midwife, doctor or practice nurse or call the free helpline 0800 IMMUNE .
What Types Of Diphtheria Tetanus And Whooping Cough Vaccines Are There
A combination vaccine contains 2 or more vaccines in a single shot in order to decrease the number of shots given.
The Food and Drug Administration licensed 12 combination vaccines for use in the United States to help protect against diphtheria and tetanus. Nine of these vaccines also help protect against whooping cough. Some of the vaccines include protection against other diseases as well, including polio, Haemophilus influenzae type b disease, and hepatitis B.
- DT and Td provide protection against diphtheria and tetanus.
- DTaP provides protection against diphtheria, tetanus, and whooping cough.
- Tdap provides protection against tetanus, diphtheria, and whooping cough.
Upper-case letters in these abbreviations mean the vaccine has full-strength doses of that part of the vaccine. The lower-case d and p in Td and Tdap means these vaccines use smaller doses of diphtheria and whooping cough. The a in DTaP and Tdap stands for acellular, meaning that the whooping cough component contains only parts of the bacteria instead of the whole bacteria.
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Getting A Tdap Vaccine During Pregnancy Passes Protection To Your Baby
After receiving a Tdap vaccine, your body creates protective antibodies and passes some of them to your baby before birth. These antibodies provide your baby some short-term protection against whooping cough in early life. These antibodies can also protect your baby from some of the more serious complications, including hospitalization, that come along with getting whooping cough.
The recommended time to get the shot is during your 27ththrough 36th week of pregnancy, preferably during the earlier part of this time period.
Protective antibodies are at their highest about 2 weeks after getting the vaccine, but it takes time to pass them to your baby. So the preferred time to get a Tdap vaccine is early in your third trimester.
The amount of whooping cough antibodies in your body decreases over time. That is why CDC recommends you get a Tdap vaccine during each pregnancy, even if your pregnancies are only a year or two apart. Doing so allows each of your babies to get the greatest number of protective antibodies and best protection possible.
Do You Recommend These Same Vaccines For Grandparents And Other Family Members Who Will Be In Close Contact With The Newborn
I do. All close contacts to the newborn should be vaccinated with the annual influenza vaccine at least 2 weeks before meeting the baby.
They should also have had Tdap in the last 10 years. If they have not received that vaccine, they should get a Tdap booster at least 2 weeks before meeting the baby.
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Tdap: The Whooping Cough Vaccine For Adults
The Tdap booster vaccine has been in use since 2005. It also helps protect against tetanus and diphtheria.
The CDC says adults and children ages 11 and up should get a Tdap booster shot.
Preteens and teens can get it instead of the usual tetanus booster thatâs due around the same time.
Adults can get the Tdap at any time. If you had the tetanus booster not too long ago, though, check with your doctor. It may be better to wait a few years.
You should get a Tdap vaccine if you are pregnant, preferably between weeks 27 and 36 of your pregnancy. You should get the Tdap booster each time you’re pregnant.
Immunisation Against Whooping Cough
In Victoria, the whooping cough vaccine is only available in a number of combined vaccines that also contain protection against other serious and potentially fatal diseases. The type of combined vaccine used for immunisation will depend on the person’s age group. Children need to follow the full schedule of vaccines to be fully protected.In Victoria, immunisation against whooping cough is free for:
- children at two , four and six months of age in the form of a diphtheria, tetanus, whooping cough, hepatitis B, polio and Haemophilus influenzae type b vaccine
- children at 18 months of age in the form of a diphtheria, tetanus and whooping cough vaccine
- children at four years of age in the form of a diphtheria, tetanus, whooping cough and polio vaccine
- adolescents in Year 7 at secondary school adolescents receive a booster dose of diphtheria, tetanus and whooping cough vaccine . The dose can also be given by a doctor or at a council community immunisation session
- pregnant women from 20 weeks gestation during every pregnancy, from 20 weeks gestation, pregnant women receive a dose of diphtheria, tetanus and whooping cough vaccine
- partners of women in the third trimester of pregnancy, if the partner has not received a whooping-cough-containing booster in the last ten years
- parents or guardians, if their baby is under six months of age and they have not received a whooping-cough-containing vaccine in the last ten years.
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How Can Pertussis Infections Be Prevented
The pertussis vaccine is given by needle and it is very safe. Side effects of a pertussis vaccine are very mild and usually go away within a few days.
A child under 6 years old needs five doses of the pertussis vaccine, starting at 2 months of age. Protection from the vaccine fades over time, so it’s important to get a booster dose.
You may need a booster dose for pertussis if:
- you are a teen between 14 and 16 years
- you are an adult and you were not immunized against pertussis as an adult
- you are between 27 and 32 weeks of pregnancy. Note: if you are unable to receive the booster at this stage in your pregnancy, you can talk to your doctor about getting it earlier or later as it will still provide some protection to your baby.
If you are in regular contact with an infant, it is very important to be immunized. If you require a booster vaccine, make sure to get it at least 2 weeks before being in contact with the baby.
What Happens If I Miss A Dose Of The Whooping Cough Vaccine
If your child misses one of the five doses of the whooping cough vaccine, speak with your healthcare provider. Your child may be able to get the vaccine at their next healthcare appointment.
Teenagers who miss the Tdap booster should get it at their next visit with a healthcare provider. Likewise, adults who have never gotten the pertussis vaccine or have missed a dose should get the Tdap shot at their next healthcare provider appointment.
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Pregnant Women And Women Presenting Shortly After Giving Birth With An Incomplete Or Unknown Vaccination History
Women who have not completed a primary course of 3 doses of tetanus, diphtheria and polio containing vaccines may be offered these whilst they are pregnant. The relevant chapters of the Green book advise that tetanus, diphtheria and polio containing vaccines may be given to pregnant women when the need for protection is required without delay.
There is no evidence of risk from vaccinating pregnant women or those who are breast-feeding with inactivated viral or bacterial vaccines or toxoids .
If a course of tetanus, diphtheria and polio containing vaccination is commenced before week 16 of pregnancy, a 4 week interval should be left between each dose.
Once the woman reaches 16 weeks of pregnancy or around the time of her fetal anomaly scan, she should be offered a dose of dTaP/IPV vaccine, preferably 4 weeks after any Td/IPV dose that has been given. The dose of dTaP/IPV offered should be counted as one of the 3 primary doses of tetanus, diphtheria and polio vaccines if this primary course has not been completed.
Women who have not completed their primary course of tetanus, diphtheria and polio containing vaccinations by the end of their pregnancy should be offered any outstanding doses.
The dTaP/IPV they received in pregnancy should be counted as one of their primary doses and any outstanding doses should be given as Td/IPV vaccine. See vaccination of individuals with uncertain or incomplete immunisation status.
How Is Whooping Cough Treated
If whooping cough is diagnosed during the first few weeks of the infection, a course of antibiotics may be given to prevent the infection spreading further.
Antibiotics will stop someone being infectious after 5 days of taking them. However, without antibiotics, they may still be infectious until 3 weeks after the intense bouts of coughing start.
If whooping cough is not diagnosed until the later stages of the infection, antibiotics may not be prescribed. This is because the bacteria that cause whooping cough have already gone by this time, so the person is no longer infectious. Antibiotics will make no difference to the symptoms at this stage.
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Blood Tests Cannot Tell If You Need A Tdap Vaccine
Experts do not know what level of whooping cough antibodies is needed to protect anyone, including babies, from getting sick. That is why CDC recommends all women get a Tdap vaccine during each pregnancy even women with some antibodies due to a previous infection or vaccine. The goal is to give each baby the greatest number of protective antibodies possible.
Can I Have This Vaccine At The Same Time As The Flu Vaccine
If you’re pregnant during the flu season , then you should have the flu vaccine as early as you can during pregnancy.
If you’re over 16 weeks pregnant and you still havent had the flu vaccine, then you can and should have both vaccines. You can have them at the same time or separately – the vaccines dont interfere with each other if given together.
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