What is Tdap? Here's what you need to know to stay protected against whooping cough
What is Tdap? Here's what you need to know to stay protected against whooping cough
Show Caption
Hide Caption
Measles outbreaks on the horizon if US cuts funding, WHO director says
WHO Director says the progress measles vaccines have made to save millions of lives is now in jeopardy if U.S. pulls funding.
With the risk of whooping cough infections rising, it's a good time to make sure you're up to date on your Tdap booster, experts say.
Whooping cough (pertussis) is a highly infectious respiratory illness that causes rapid, uncontrollable coughing fits. Whooping cough is particularly dangerous to young infants—approximately one in three babies under the age of 1will be hospitalized if they develop the illness, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control & Prevention.
Whooping cough is preventable, and getting vaccinated is the best way to protect yourself. The DTaP and Tdap vaccines are very effective at preventing whooping cough, but you'll need to stay on top of vaccinations to make sure you and your loved ones are protected. Here's what experts need you to know.
What is DTaP, Tdap vaccine?
DTaP and Tdap are combination vaccines that protect against tetanus, diphtheria and whooping cough. DTaP is given to infants and young children, whereas Tdap is administered to anyone above the age of 7, says Dr. Peter Chin-Hong, a professor of medicine and infectious disease specialist at UCSF Health.
DTaP is formulated with full strength doses of the diphtheria, tetanus and whooping cough vaccines. Tdap contains one full strength dose of the tetanus vaccine, and lesser doses of the diphtheria and whooping cough vaccines, per Healthline. Today's whooping cough vaccines contain an acellular pertussis component, which is derived from inactive parts of the bacterium that causes whooping cough, Bordetella pertussis, per CDC.
'(The Tdap and DTaP) vaccines are often described as a 'seat belt.' So, (they) should prevent injury for most people,' says Dr. Matthew Harris, a pediatric emergency medicine physician and medical director of clinical preparedness at Northwell Health. Both vaccines are very effective at preventing whooping cough, but in the case you develop the illness, symptoms are typically milder.
When should children receive DTaP shots?
The people who suffer the most from whooping cough aren't the adults—it's the kids, says Chin-Hong. Whooping cough is highly infectious, and in young children, symptoms can be life-threatening. Severe complications include pneumonia and apnea, says Harris.
For this reason, the DTaP vaccination series is encouraged in early childhood. The CDC recommends children under the age of 7 receive a series five DTaP shots at the following ages:
2 months
4 months
6 months
15 to 18 months
4 to 6 years
In case you missed: What to know about whooping cough
How long is Tdap good for?
The CDC recommends adolescents receive a single shot of Tdap at 11 to 12 years old. If you weren't vaccinated with DTaP as a child, you'll receive Tdap as your first dose.
Unlike the MMR vaccine, in which you're considered to have lifelong 97% immunity against measles after receiving two doses, one dose of Tdap does not provide lifelong protection against tetanus, diphtheria and pertussis. Of the three diseases, immunity wanes fastest for pertussis, says Chin-Hong.
Because protection from Tdap wanes over time, the CDC says adults should receive a booster dose of Tdap or Td (which only protects against tetanus, not diphtheria or pertussis) every 10 years.
If you get a deep wound or burn, you might need an additional dose of DTaP, Tdap or Td to protect against tetanus infection, according to Nemours Children's Health. Not all wounds will require a tetanus booster; a physician will take into account how severe the wound is, your age and the last time you were vaccinated, says Harris.
Elsewhere in vaccines: What experts need you to know about the MMR vaccine
Do I need a Tdap shot to be around a baby?
Yes, the CDC suggests anyone in close proximity to infants or young children receive a Tdap booster, regardless of your last dose. Infants under two months of age are particularly vulnerable to severe symptoms of whooping cough (as they aren't yet able to receive the DTaP vaccine), says Chin-Hong.
If you're pregnant, the American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology recommends receiving a Tdap shot during your third trimester of pregnancy (between 27 to 36 weeks). It's estimated that this helps prevent 78% of pertussis cases in babies under two months of age, according to a CDC evaluation. As the Tdap takes full effect, protective antibodies are transmitted to the fetus. When the baby is born, these antibodies may offer some degree of protection against whooping cough.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
2 hours ago
- Yahoo
Get your Tdap vaccine at Dairy Day in Chenango
CHENANGO. N.Y. (WSYR-TV)– The Chenango County Nursing Division will be hosting a Tdap vaccine event at Dairy Day on Saturday, June, 21, 2025. The event will be held from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at the Norwich Fairgrounds in Chenango. Tdap is recommended for children ages 10 and older, adults who are in need of a booster, and pregnant women in their third trimester. Children who receive the vaccine will then get a coupon for a small ice cream cone from Dusty's Dairy Bar and Grill. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
5 hours ago
- Yahoo
Give Your Kidneys Some Love With These 13 Superfoods
Your kidneys are vital to your overall health. According to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, more than one in seven adults in the United States has chronic kidney disease. Your kidneys work around the clock to filter out waste and excess fluid, helping to prevent serious health problems like heart disease, infections, anemia, depression and even loss of appetite. Your diet and gut health also play a major role in your wellness, especially when it comes to keeping your kidneys healthy. There are 13 superfoods you should keep in mind when considering natural ways to give your kidney health a boost. Read more: 6 Important Blood Tests You May Need for Your Overall Health Best Meal Delivery Services See at Cnet This nutrient-dense vegetable is low in both potassium and sodium while packing in fiber, vitamins C and K and more. Plus, cabbage is versatile. You can use it in salads and slaws, but you can also use it as a wrap for tacos, sandwiches and more. Fish delivers protein, and when you choose a fatty fish like tuna, salmon or trout, you're also getting omega-3 fatty acids. Omega-3 fats may help reduce fat levels (triglycerides) in the blood and may also lower blood pressure, according to the National Kidney Foundation. If you have CKD, you may need to keep an eye on the phosphorus and potassium levels of the fish you choose. The National Kidney Foundation has a chart you can use to determine levels in specific types of fish. Although, it's best to consult with your doctor. Like cabbage, bell peppers pack in lots of good nutrients with low levels of potassium. With them, you get vitamins B6, B9, C and K, plus fiber. They deliver antioxidants too. You can slice them and eat them with dips or roast them and add them to dinner. Cranberries help to prevent urinary tract infections. These usually stay in your bladder, they can travel up to your kidney, making kidney problems worse. Fortunately, regularly consuming cranberries can help you avoid this unwelcome situation. Plus, cranberries have antioxidants that can help fight inflammation, and they can boost your heart and digestive health. It turns out, these tart berries aren't just for the Thanksgiving table. We've talked about some of the best foods for kidneys, but you can take it a step further. The question is: What foods help repair kidneys? Blueberries deliver. With high levels of antioxidants and loads of vitamin C and fiber, blueberries are all-around healthy. They can also help to reduce inflammation and support bone health, reversing some of the issues that can come with CKD. There are plenty of reasons to turn to dark, leafy greens like spinach or kale. They deliver so many nutrients that they can help you get key vitamins and minerals, plus immunity-boosting benefits. Be advised that greens can come with a decent amount of potassium. If you have CKD, talk to your doctor before adding more of these to your diet. Rich in antioxidants and healthy fatty acids, olive oil can boost your overall wellness. A study from Harvard University found that olive oil may lower cholesterol levels and the risk of cardiovascular disease, dementia and some types of cancer. Beyond all this, it can help you add flavor to dishes without turning to salt or butter. To get more antioxidants, choose unrefined or cold-pressed olive oil that's virgin or extra virgin. Another antioxidant-rich, inflammation-fighting food, garlic also contains a specific compound called allicin. For people with CKD, allicin — an active compound found in garlic — worked just as effectively to help protect kidney health as a prescription drug. If you're looking for the best foods for your kidneys, garlic has to make the list. Plus, it's an excellent way to add flavor when you're skimping on salt. From the same family as garlic, onions give you another excellent and salt-free way to add flavor (bonus points if you saute them in olive oil). Onions also deliver important nutrients like vitamins B6 and C, manganese and copper. They also contain quercetin, a chemical that can help your body fight cancer, and organic sulfur compounds that can reduce your risk of high blood pressure, stroke and heart disease. Cauliflower brings the crunch, paired with plenty of vitamins C, B6, B9 and K, along with fiber. It also contains compounds your body can use to neutralize certain toxins, a big help when your kidneys aren't doing their best filtration work. Cauliflower does contain some potassium and phosphorus, though, so while it makes the list of foods good for kidneys, people with CKD may want to moderate their intake. Egg whites are specifically recommended for people with kidney problems. They give you a way to increase your protein levels -- which can be important with later-stage CKD, especially if you're on dialysis. Arugula is packed with nutrients your body needs like magnesium, iron, calcium and vitamins A, B9, C and K. Plus, it's antioxidant-rich and has glucosinolates, which can help your body protect itself against a range of cancer types. You can eat arugula raw (it's a great salad base), but you can also sprinkle it over whatever you're whipping up. It's great on pizzas, in omelets and with pasta, for example. Apples deliver the cancer-fighting quercetin and fiber that can help to keep your cholesterol and blood sugar at healthy levels. They've got plenty of antioxidants. Better yet, they're easy to work into your diet. Leave a bowl of apples on your counter and you'll have a kidney-healthy, grab-and-go snack whenever you need one.
Yahoo
6 hours ago
- Yahoo
Opinion - Beyond MAHA: Defeating obesity requires a new strategy
Obesity is a major health problem facing our country. According to the CDC, more than 40 percent of the U.S. population is obese, defined as having a body-mass index above 30. As astounding at that number is, it is perhaps even more surprising that nearly 20 percent of children in the U.S. are obese. Obesity leads to significant health challenges, including diabetes, stroke, cardiovascular disease and liver disease. It is clear that as a nation we must face this crisis on multiple fronts. Diet and exercise certainly help, and it's critical to ensure that people of all socioeconomic backgrounds have access to healthy foods (free of preservatives, unnecessary dyes, high fructose corn syrups etc.) and are educated in making healthy lifestyle choices. The MAHA or 'Make America Healthy Again' movement has highlighted this as one of its key objectives, and if it is successful, we should see an impact on obesity — especially in children, where diet and exercise have a huge impact on weight-related health outcomes. Obesity in adults, however, is often more challenging. Many adults with obesity struggle to lose weight, despite considerable efforts to modify their lifestyle through diet and exercise. This is because our metabolism changes as we age, and many adults who are overweight develop metabolic dysfunction or 'metabolic syndrome,' which then further perpetuates weight gain and exacerbates the situation. It has become clear in recent years that many people struggling with obesity require medical intervention – not just lifestyle intervention – and that prescriptions can substantially improve weight loss. The explosion in use of GLP-1 agonists, such as Wegovy and Zepbound, over the last two years has underscored the need for medical intervention in obese and overweight patients. Currently, about 6 percent of the U.S. population, or 15 million people, are on GLP-1 weight loss treatments, and the numbers are only expected to increase. However, while most patients lose 10 percent to 25 percent of their body weight while on a GLP-1, they do not maintain GLP-1 treatment in the long-term, with approximately 80 percent of patients discontinuing treatment within 1 year. Gastrointestinal side effects, injectable administration, and high cost have prevented long-term use of GLP-1's for weight maintenance. And unfortunately, most patients gain back all the weight after stopping the medication. Healthcare professionals and the pharmaceutical industry now recognize that obesity — like most other medical conditions — requires an 'arsenal' of treatments, rather than a one-size-fits-all approach. Post-GLP-1 weight maintenance is now widely recognized as an emerging unmet need. And patients who are not candidates for or cannot tolerate GLP-1s require alternatives. Diet and lifestyle modifications are important alongside prescription medications in fighting obesity. If we are going to be successful in overcoming this major health crisis, we need to ensure that both the pharmaceutical industry and groups like MAHA work hand in hand. Both treatment and prevention are critical in order to regain control of our nation's health. Dr. Shoshana Shendelman, Ph.D. is a scientist and entrepreneur who has founded numerous biotech companies. She is a pioneer in the development of drugs and therapeutics for rare and underserved diseases. Currently she is Vice Chair of the Advisory Board of Columbia University Medical Center and Columbia University Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
