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USA Today
21-04-2025
- Health
- USA Today
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.
USA Today
14-04-2025
- Health
- USA Today
What experts need you to know about the MMR vaccine
What experts need you to know about the MMR vaccine Show Caption Hide Caption Here is what to know about measles symptoms, spread and vaccine Cases of the measles are on the rise. Here's what you should know about how measles are spread, its symptoms and the MMR vaccine. As the U.S. continues to battle the largest spike in measles cases since 2019, experts underscore the importance of MMR vaccinations to prevent the spread of measles and bolster collective immunity. Measles is a highly infectious, life-threatening viral disease that infects the respiratory tract. Before the measles vaccine was introduced in 1963, it is estimated that 3 to 4 million people in the U.S. contracted measles every year, causing 500 deaths and 48,000 hospitalizations annually, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control & Prevention. The MMR vaccine, a combination vaccine that protects against measles, mumps and rubella, has been instrumental in curtailing the spread of measles. The vaccine has been available in its current form since 1971, marking more than 50 years of safe and effective use. What is the MMR vaccine? The MMR vaccine is an attenuated vaccine, meaning it uses particles of live viruses to help generate the body's immune response and build antibodies, says Dr. Matthew Harris, a pediatric emergency medicine physician and medical director of clinical preparedness for Northwell Health. 'Everyone is encouraged to get it, because as we've seen in Texas and New Mexico, measles spreads like wildfire,' says Harris. The MMR vaccine is highly effective. Most vaccinated people will not develop measles, mumps or rubella when they are exposed to the diseases. But, in the case a vaccinated person does develop one of these diseases, their symptoms are typically milder, and they are far less contagious, per the CDC. 'So much for MAHA': RFK Jr. MMR vaccine support spurs backlash Is the MMR vaccine safe? The MMR vaccine is very safe, says Harris. For decades, the vaccine has been administered to millions of children, helping to prevent severe and life-threatening complications of measles, mumps and rubella. Serious side effects of the vaccine, including seizures, are rare. Over the years, multiple large-scale studies have debunked claims linking the MMR vaccine and autism. Studies have also disproven connections between autism and vaccines containing thimerosal, a preservative often used in combination vaccines, according to the U.S. Food & Drug Administration. Heads up: A group of newborns were exposed to measles. Can babies be protected? When should you receive the MMR vaccine? The MMR vaccine is administered in two doses, usually during childhood. One dose provides 93% protection against measles, and two doses provide 97% protection, says Dr. Peter Chin-Hong, a professor of medicine and infectious disease specialist at UCSF Health. When you receive two doses of MMR, you are considered to be fully immunized against measles. Healthcare providers prioritize administering the MMR vaccine during early childhood for two primary reasons, Harris says. First, measles, mumps and rubella are highly infectious, and spread easily in congregant settings, such as daycares and summer camps. Second, children are particularly vulnerable to developing severe symptoms. Unvaccinated children under the age of 5 have an elevated risk of experiencing dangerous complications due to measles, including pneumonia, encephalitis (brain inflammation), loss of sight or hearing and death, per the CDC. It is recommended that babies receive their first dose of the MMR vaccine when they're between 12 and 15 months. The second MMR dose is usually administered when a child is 4 to 6 years old. In the case of a measles outbreak, or international travel, a baby can receive one dose of MMR when they are as young as six months old. They will still need to receive another two doses of the vaccine within the CDC-recommended time frames after they turn 1, says Chin-Hong. If you weren't vaccinated against measles as a young child, you can still receive the MMR vaccine later in life, note Chin-Hong and Harris. Two doses of MMR will yield the same level of protection against measles, even if you've previously been exposed to the disease. It's important to note certain groups of people, including pregnant women and some immunocompromised individuals, aren't able to receive the MMR vaccine. This is the minority of patients, and a healthcare provider can help determine your eligibility for the vaccine. If you're unsure whether you're protected against measles, check your vaccination records. It's possible some individuals may need to be revaccinated, although this isn't the case for most people. For example, if you find you were vaccinated between 1963 and 1967 and received the killed measles vaccine, the CDC recommends you receive at least one dose of a live attenuated measles vaccine.
