You may have noticed your OB recommending you received the Tdap vaccine with this new pregnancy even though you received it two years ago with your last pregnancy. That’s because the recommendations have changed and your OB is trying to protect your new baby against Pertussis.
Tdap, which stands for Tetanus, Diphtheria and acellular Pertussis, confers protection against all three of these diseases: Tetanus, Diphtheria and Pertussis. The vaccine is safe in pregnancy. It used to be offered only if a pregnant woman had never been vaccinated or if it had been more than 10 years since her last Tdap vaccine. However in 2011, public health officials noted a rise in the cases of Pertussis in infants with some cases resulting in the death of these infants. This led to the new recommendations that pregnant women be offered and encouraged to receive the Tdap vaccine with each pregnancy between 27-36 weeks of pregnancy. In doing so we are able to increase the number of newborns with immunity against Pertussis.
So what do you need to know:
1. The recommendations for Tdap vaccine in pregnancy have changed.
2. The new recommendations are to receive the Tdap vaccine with each pregnancy during the 27-36 week of pregnancy.
3. Receiving the Tdap vaccine during 27-36 weeks of pregnancy protects you and your baby after delivery.
4. The Tdap vaccine is safe in pregnancy for both you and your child.
5. You should strongly consider getting vaccinated.
For more information about vaccination during pregnancy, talk to your OB. Send us your questions!