Why is the Tdap Vaccine Recommended During Pregnancy?

First of all, what is the Tdap vaccine? It offers protection against 3 illnesses- tetanus- aka “lockjaw”, diphtheria- a serious infection of the nose/throat that can cause heart damage, and pertussis- aka whooping cough. I am focusing on pertussis here because that is what we still see a lot of across the U.S. due to how highly contagious it is and gaps in vaccine coverage.

The Tdap vaccination was developed because it was recognized that the pertussis immunization we give in childhood- the “acellular” form- Dtap, didn’t create lifelong antibodies as was originally thought, so adolescents and adults needed a booster to further protect them from infection.

So why do pregnant women get one of these with each pregnancy? I promise it’s not just our attempt to make your arm sore! I’ve had 2 Tdap vaccines in the last 8 years between the required vaccination for medical school and having my baby girl, so I understand! The most susceptible group to severe pertussis infection and death are infants under 3 months, and we don’t start immunizations until 2 months, so there is a window of time they are unprotected. When given to pregnant women between 26-37 weeks, the antibodies that mom makes to pertussis are available to newborns and help protect them if exposed to pertussis before vaccines are administered. We also strongly encourage all family members who will be in contact with the baby to receive a Tdap as well, to “cocoon” the infant from potential exposure.  I sent my mom, my 10 month olds’ primary caregiver, to her doctor to get her Tdap before watching my daughter for this very reason! And my husband received his Tdap in our OB’s office when I did as well.

Why do we care? Isn’t pertussis just a bad cough? No, not exactly. Per the CDC, half of infants that develop pertussis under age 1 end up requiring hospitalization, and of those, 1 in 4 develop pneumonia and 1-2 per 100 will die. Scary stats.

So my point is – regardless of your position on vaccinating your child, please consider accepting a Tdap in your third trimester of pregnancy to protect your little angel. It’s worth the pain in the arm.