Learn more about the Tdap vaccine
In this month’s Get Fit Club article, we are going to take a look at the Tdap vaccine. What is the Tdap vaccine? The Tdap vaccine protects you against three potentially severe bacterial infections that can cause serious, life-threatening health conditions, and even death. Diphtheria and pertussis are infections that spread from person to person through respiratory droplets by coughing, sneezing, and even talking. Tetanus doesn’t spread from person to person, but can enter your body through cuts or wounds. Tdap is a combination vaccine, which means it contains more than one vaccine in the same shot.
What are the components of the Tdap vaccine?
T – Tetanus: Tetanus, or otherwise known as “lock jaw,” causes painful muscle stiffening, especially around your neck and jaw. It is caused by a bacteria called Clostridium tetani, which is found in soil, manure, and human intestine. The bacteria enter the body through an open wound, such as a cut or scrape, and infects it with spores. Most cases occur within 14 days of infection, but symptoms can appear anywhere from 3-21 days after. Symptoms can include jaw cramping or inability to open your mouth, muscle spasms in the back, abdomen, and extremities, difficulty breathing and swallowing, headaches, fever, changes in blood pressure and a fast heart rate, seizures, and even death.
d – Diphtheria: Diphtheria is a bacterial infection that spreads easily through respiratory droplets when a person who is infected sneezes or coughs, or by touching an infected surface or object and then touching you nose or mouth. It causes a thick coating to form in the back of your throat. Symptoms of diphtheria have a gradual onset and are characterized by a mild fever, sore throat, difficulty swallowing, malaise, loss of appetite, and hoarseness (if the larynx is involved). This can lead to difficulty breathing, heart failure, paralysis or death.
ap – Acellular Pertussis: Pertussis, or better known as “whooping cough,” is a highly contagious respiratory tract infection that causes violent coughing that makes it hard to breathe, eat or drink. Whooping cough is known for the “whoop” noise when someone gasps for air after a coughing fit. It can be life-threatening for babies, young children, and elderly adults.
It usually takes 5 to 10 days for symptoms to appear after exposure to the bacteria that causes whooping cough and can appear similar to a common cold. Early symptoms include: runny or stuffed-up nose; low-grade fever (< 100.4*F); mild, occasional cough. Later symptoms (1-2 weeks after the first symptoms appear) include: rapid/violent/and uncontrolled coughing fits, which may cause vomiting, fatigue after the coughing fit, difficulty sleeping at night, struggle to breathe, and rib fractures from coughing so violently. Serious complications are common in infants < 1 year old and can include: apnea, pneumonia, convulsions, and encephalopathy.
Who should receive the Tdap vaccine?
- The Tdap vaccine is approved by the CDC to be given to children 7 years of age and older, adolescents, pregnant women, and adults. Children 7 years of age and older should receive the Tdap vaccine if they’ve never been vaccinated.
- Preteens should receive one dose of Tdap at age 11 or 12 to boost their immunity. Women who are pregnant should receive a Tdap vaccine during the early part of their third trimester of pregnancy, as it helps protect the baby after birth from whooping cough, which can be deadly to a baby.
- Grandparents of newborns should also receive a Tdap vaccine at least 2 weeks before having contact with their grandchild.
- Adults who haven’t ever received the Tdap vaccine should get a dose of Tdap and then receive a Tdap booster vaccine every 10 years.
- The Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) has recommended that healthcare personnel receive a single dose of Tdap. After receipt of Tdap, a dose of Td or Tdap is recommended every 10 years.
Kentucky Pertussis Health Alert – July 17, 2024
Cases of pertussis have continued to increase steadily in the state of Kentucky. This is consistent with trends both nationally and globally, as many stated and countries are reporting the highest number of pertussis cases identified in their jurisdictions in the last several years. Pertussis has a cyclic pattern that usually peaks approximately every five years. Current case numbers indicate that Kentucky is experiencing an elevated rate of infections not seen in Kentucky since 2016-2017 when 463 and 449 cases were reported, respectively. To-date in 2024, 130 cases of pertussis have been identified in 34 Kentucky counties in several regions across the state. A Health Alert was issued by the Kentucky Department for Public Health on June 4, 2024. Most cases of pertussis in the Commonwealth have occurred in school-aged children, but additional cases have been identified in infants, toddler, and adults. Vaccination against pertussis is known to reduce disease severity, and hospitalization among vaccinated individuals is rare.
How can you receive a Tdap vaccine or check your immunization status?
Please contact the Employee Health office if you would like to review your Tdap vaccination status, to schedule an appointment to receive a dose of this vaccine, or if you have any further questions about this vaccine.
Written by Mandy Smiley, BSN, RN, Lead Employee Health Nurse