Pertussis Information for Ob-Gyns
NEW! The College has released updated guidelines on Tdap vaccination in pregnancy. Click here to read the new Committee Opinion. Provider FAQs have also been updated, click here to view.
NEW! A new research article, "Pregnancy Dose Tdap and Postpartum Cocooning to Prevent Infant Pertussis: A Decision Analysis" in the medical journal Pediatrics found that Tdap vaccination during pregnancy could avert more infant cases and deaths at lower cost than postpartum vaccination.
Pertussis (whooping cough) is a highly contagious infection of the respiratory tract. Although symptoms vary among adolescents and adults, common initial symptoms of pertussis may include runny nose, sneezing, low-grade fever, and mild cough. The cough gradually becomes severe, leading to paroxysmal spasms of severe coughing, whooping, and/or posttussive vomiting lasting 1–6 weeks. Infected individuals who do not have visible symptoms can still spread the disease to others. The standard and preferred laboratory test for diagnosis of pertussis is isolation of Bordetella pertussis by a sample culture.
It is recommended that the Tdap vaccine be administered as part of the 12–13-year-old immunization visit or on a following visit to a health care provider. Adults who didn't receive the Tdap vaccine as a preteen or teen should get one dose of Tdap. Most pregnant women who were not previously vaccinated with Tdap should receive one dose of Tdap postpartum before leaving the hospital or birthing center. Adults 65 years and older who have close contact with infants should also get a dose of Tdap.
Pregnant, postpartum and breastfeeding women can be immunized with Tdap.
There are two vaccines to prevent pertussis approved for use in the United States. Boostrix (GlaxoSmithKline Biologicals) is approved for people aged 10 through 64 years. Adacel (Sanofi Pasteur) is approved for use in persons aged 11 through 64 years. Both Tdap products are licensed for use at an interval of at least 5 years between the tetanus and diphtheria toxoids (Td) and Tdap dose. In October 2010, the ACIP approved the administration of Tdap to patients regardless of interval since the last tetanus or diphtheria toxoid-containing vaccine.
No serious adverse events have been attributed to Tdap. The most common adverse event is a local reaction, though low-grade fever and nonspecific systemic events are possible.
Individuals should not receive Tdap if they have had a severe allergic reaction to a vaccine component or following a prior dose of vaccine, or if they have experienced encephalopathy not due to another identifiable cause occurring within 7 days after vaccination.
For more information, visit CDC's pertussis information section.
Pertussis Information for Patients
NEW! The College has released new guidelines for Tdap vaccination in pregnancy. Click here to read the new Committee Opinion.
Pertussis (whooping cough)is an infection of the respiratory tract. This infection is caused by bacteria called Bordetella pertussis. It spreads easily from person to person by coughing and sneezing. Some infected people do not have these symptoms. The infection usually starts out like a cold, with runny nose, sneezing, low-grade fever, and mild cough. Thecoughing fits become more severe than with the cold and can continue for weeks. These fits make breathing very difficult and cause a “whooping” sound. Some people can become seriously ill or die from infection with pertussis, especially very young babies. Children and adults can also become very sick. Getting a vaccine is the best way to prevent getting pertussis. Pertussis vaccination is recommended for all people up to age 64 years, including babies and pregnant women.
Many children get a vaccine called DTaP that protects against diphtheria, tetanus, and pertussis. This vaccine is given in a series of five shots beginning at age 4 months. The DTaP vaccine loses strength over time. Because of this, health care providers recommend that a vaccine called Tdap be given as a booster to children aged 10–12 years. Teens and adults who did not get the Tdap vaccine as a preteen should get one dose of Tdap. They should have the vaccine at least 2 weeks before having contact with infants or infant caregivers. Adults age 65 years and older should also get the vaccine if they are in contact with infants or infant caregivers.
Pregnant women should have one dose of Tdap during the third trimester or late second trimester(after 20 weeks). If they did not get this shot by the time of delivery, they should get it before leaving the hospital or birthing center. Getting Tdap during pregnancy transfers some protection from pertussis to the newborn. Many infants with pertussis get the infection from their mothers. Getting Tdap during pregnancy or just after delivery will also protect the mother from pertussis so she will not infect her infant.
There are two vaccines to prevent pertussis approved for use in the United States:Boostrix and Adacel. Either Tdap vaccine can be taken at any time since the last tetanus/diphtheria (Td) booster that many people get every 10 years. Health care providers recommend getting Tdap instead of the Td booster at least once before age 64 years. The Tdap vaccine is safe and does not cause serious side effects. The most common side effects are skin irritation and low-grade fever. If you have ever had a severe allergic reaction to a vaccine you should not get Tdap.
For more information, visit CDC's pertussis information section.