Whooping Cough Vaccine
Whooping Cough Vaccine
Whooping cough, also known as pertussis, is a rare yet highly contagious respiratory tract infection. It’s characterized by a severe, hacking cough followed by an intake of breath, which carries a high-pitched sound described as a “whoop.” To help prevent the spread of this disease, the DTaP and Tdap vaccines are the best forms of protection. If you or a loved one still needs a whooping cough vaccine, schedule an appointment with ID Care as soon as possible.
How Whopping Cough Vaccines Work
Whooping cough vaccines provide a high level of protection against this condition for the first two years after injection, and they’re also effective in guarding against diphtheria and tetanus. But after 24 months, the protection wanes, making it necessary for patients to receive several doses to build up long-term immunity. The DTaP vaccine is given in five separate doses at each of the following ages:
- 2 months old
- 4 months old
- 6 months old
- 15 to 18 months old
- 4 to 6 years old
Once children grow up, they are given one dose of the Tdap vaccine. Usually, it is administered between the ages of 11 and 12.
Side Effects
Like any vaccination, patients may experience mild short-term symptoms, and in some cases, these side effects may be more severe. They will vary depending on which vaccine is issued. The DTaP vaccine commonly causes redness, soreness, swelling, and tenderness to occur at the injection site. Between one and three days afterward, patients may develop a fever, feel fussy or tired, experience poor appetite, or vomit. In addition, some serious but rare side effects may include seizures, non-stop crying, or high fever.
Meanwhile, the side effects associated with Tdap are rare but have been reported. Some of the symptoms that this vaccine can cause include:
• Pain at the injection site
• Redness or swelling
• Mild fever
• Tiredness
• Nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and/or stomach ache
• Chills
• Body aches
Who Should and Shouldn’t Get Vaccinated?
Everyone should receive the whooping cough vaccine to protect themselves and others. If you have never been vaccinated for whooping cough, you can get the Tdap at any time during your adulthood. Pregnant women should also receive the Tdap at the beginning of their third trimester for every pregnancy. Even if they were vaccinated as children, this can help protect newborns from developing whooping cough in the first months of life.
It’s important to note, however, that there are certain circumstances and preexisting conditions that make whooping cough vaccines unsuitable for some patients. In terms of DTaP, children who have had life-threatening reactions after receiving a dose should not continue receiving DTaP vaccines. Children with brain or nervous system disease or Guillain-Barré syndrome should not receive this vaccine. Finally, if your child is not feeling well or is over seven years old, they should not receive the DTaP.
When it comes to Tdap, children who are not feeling well or are younger than seven years old should not receive this vaccine. In addition, if your child has had a severe allergic reaction to previous vaccines targeting diphtheria, tetanus, or whooping cough, they should not receive Tdap.
Get Vaccinated Today
If you have any additional questions about getting a whooping cough vaccine or are ready to protect you and your family, trust the experts at ID Care. Our more than 40 board-certified clinicians are well-versed in vaccinations for a number of conditions and provide effective treatment for an array of infectious diseases every day. To receive your vaccine, visit one of our locations in New Jersey today.