When do kids get tdap

The vaccine is safe if you're breastfeeding. However, it may take up to two weeks for your body to make the antibodies that will protect you from whooping cough, leaving you and your baby vulnerable during that time.

Babies receive the pertussis vaccine as part of the DTaP series which also protects them against diphtheria and tetanus. The DTaP vaccine is given at 2 months, 4 months, 6 months, and 15 to 18 months, and again at 4 to 6 years of age.

Your child's protection against the disease increases with each shot she receives. So babies under 2 months and older infants who haven't been vaccinated can catch whooping cough from the adults and children they come in contact with.

And even babies who are getting their shots on time are vulnerable, particularly until they're about 6 months old and have gotten a few doses of the vaccine. In addition to getting yourself and your baby vaccinated, you can make sure all members of your household are vaccinated, as well as anyone else who's going to have close contact with your baby. Unvaccinated people who are exposed to whooping cough can talk to their caregivers about getting medication that may help limit transmission.

Finally, keep your baby away from anyone who has a cough or other illness. And have everyone wash their hands before holding or touching your baby. Find out more about vaccines recommended for pregnant women. BabyCenter's editorial team is committed to providing the most helpful and trustworthy pregnancy and parenting information in the world. When creating and updating content, we rely on credible sources: respected health organizations, professional groups of doctors and other experts, and published studies in peer-reviewed journals.

We believe you should always know the source of the information you're seeing. Learn more about our editorial and medical review policies. People who get a deep cut or severe burn need to get a dose of Tdap or Td to prevent tetanus infection. Use of the DTaP vaccine has virtually eliminated diphtheria and tetanus in childhood and has greatly reduced the number of pertussis cases.

The vaccine can cause mild side effects: fever ; mild crankiness; tiredness; loss of appetite; and tenderness, redness, or swelling in the area where the shot was given. Rarely, a child may have a seizure, a high fever, or uncontrollable crying after getting the vaccine.

But these sorts of side effects are so rare that researchers question whether they're even caused by the vaccine. Most kids have a few minor or no side effects. Simple colds or other minor illnesses should not prevent immunization, but your doctor might choose to reschedule the vaccine if your child has a more serious illness.

The antibodies you shared with your baby before birth provide short-term protection, but his DTaP shots provide protection during childhood. Your baby will need several doses of DTaP vaccine to best protect him. CDC recommends the first dose when he is 2 months old. One recent study showed that parents and doctors can prevent many whooping cough deaths among babies. They can do this by making sure all babies receive the first DTaP dose on time.

Your baby will need 2 more doses after that, given at 4 months and 6 months, to build up high levels of protection. He will then need booster shots at 15 through 18 months and at 4 through 6 years to maintain that protection. In the United States, there are currently no whooping cough vaccines licensed or recommended for newborns.

Therefore, babies do not get the whooping cough vaccine at birth. Parents, siblings, and grandparents are often the source of whooping cough in infants. Young children have been vaccinated against whooping cough since the s.

But protection against the disease naturally wears off over time, so booster vaccines can help keep up immunity. To stay up to date, contact a healthcare professional to set up routine reviews of vaccine history for you and your child. Every vaccine comes with a chance of side effects, and the Tdap vaccine is no exception.

Fortunately, reported side effects with Tdap are generally mild and go away on their own. If you notice any of these severe symptoms after receiving the Tdap vaccine, seek medical attention. The cost of the vaccine is covered under most private insurance plans. Be sure to check with your insurance provider for details.

You can also check with your state health departments or local health centers for low-cost or free vaccinations. Tdap vaccines are also covered under Medicare part D plans. There may be a cost associated with your specific plan, though, so check with your Medicare representative. Vaccines for Children is a federally funded program that provides vaccines for children 18 years and younger who are uninsured, underinsured, Medicaid-eligible, American Indian, or Alaska Native.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention CDC recommends that those who are pregnant receive a Tdap vaccine anytime between weeks 27 and 36 of pregnancy.