Tdap is short for tetanus, diphtheria, and pertussis (whooping cough). It is a vaccine that protects you against those three types of diseases. Most people get a similar version of this vaccine during childhood, followed by booster shots every ten years after they become adults. If you are pregnant and see a prenatal care provider, he or she will probably recommend the Tdap shot by the end of the second trimester, even if your booster shots are up to date.
The reason for pregnant women to get Tdap shots is obvious. It is to help protect the soon-to-be-born baby. Tetanus, diphtheria, and whooping cough can be serious diseases. Whooping cough is especially dangerous for babies and may cause death [1]. Moreover, babies cannot get their own vaccines until they are two months old, making them vulnerable.
During the last trimester, antibodies made by the mother, and therefore immunity, can pass through the placenta to the baby [2]. The best time for pregnant women to get the Tdap shot is between 27 to 36 weeks during each pregnancy. This will help your baby stay protected before they can build their own immunity.
The CDC also recommends the family members and other caregivers of a newborn check their vaccine schedules [3]. Children should be up to date with their original whooping cough shots, and adults should have had at least one booster shot. It takes two weeks for vaccines to provide full protection, so if anyone needs to get a Tdap shot, ideally, he or she should get it two weeks before visiting the newborn.
[1] https://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/pregnancy/hcp-toolkit/tdap-vaccine-pregnancy.html
[2] https://www.nhs.uk/common-health-questions/childrens-health/how-long-do-babies-carry-their-mothers-immunity
[3] https://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/pregnancy/family-caregivers.html
The reason for pregnant women to get Tdap shots is obvious. It is to help protect the soon-to-be-born baby. Tetanus, diphtheria, and whooping cough can be serious diseases. Whooping cough is especially dangerous for babies and may cause death [1]. Moreover, babies cannot get their own vaccines until they are two months old, making them vulnerable.
During the last trimester, antibodies made by the mother, and therefore immunity, can pass through the placenta to the baby [2]. The best time for pregnant women to get the Tdap shot is between 27 to 36 weeks during each pregnancy. This will help your baby stay protected before they can build their own immunity.
The CDC also recommends the family members and other caregivers of a newborn check their vaccine schedules [3]. Children should be up to date with their original whooping cough shots, and adults should have had at least one booster shot. It takes two weeks for vaccines to provide full protection, so if anyone needs to get a Tdap shot, ideally, he or she should get it two weeks before visiting the newborn.
[1] https://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/pregnancy/hcp-toolkit/tdap-vaccine-pregnancy.html
[2] https://www.nhs.uk/common-health-questions/childrens-health/how-long-do-babies-carry-their-mothers-immunity
[3] https://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/pregnancy/family-caregivers.html
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