Whooping cough, also known as pertussis, is a highly contagious respiratory infection caused by the bacterium Bordetella pertussis. This illness can lead to severe, uncontrollable coughing fits, making breathing difficult. While pertussis can affect people of all ages, it poses a considerable threat to young infants, often resulting in serious health complications. To protect vulnerable newborns, the Tdap vaccine, which covers tetanus, diphtheria, and acellular pertussis, is recommended for pregnant individuals. This strategy safeguards both the pregnant person and their baby.
Why Vaccination During Pregnancy is Recommended
Newborn babies are particularly susceptible to severe outcomes from whooping cough because they are too young to receive their own pertussis vaccinations, which typically begin at two months of age. Vaccinating during pregnancy enables the pregnant person’s body to produce specific antibodies against the disease. These protective antibodies then cross the placenta, transferring directly to the developing fetus. This provides the baby with temporary, passive immunity from birth, safeguarding them before they can be vaccinated themselves.
Studies consistently show the effectiveness of this maternal vaccination strategy. For instance, research indicates that infants whose mothers received the Tdap vaccine during pregnancy are significantly less likely to contract whooping cough. One study from the United Kingdom suggested up to 90% protection for infants when their mothers were vaccinated during pregnancy. Another evaluation found Tdap vaccination during pregnancy to be 78% effective in preventing pertussis cases and 91% effective against hospitalized cases in infants younger than two months of age.
Expected Side Effects
After receiving the Tdap vaccine during pregnancy, individuals may experience common, mild, and temporary side effects. Localized reactions at the injection site are frequently reported, including pain, redness, or swelling. These injection site reactions usually resolve within a few days. Some individuals might also experience more generalized symptoms, such as a low-grade fever, headache, body aches, fatigue, chills, or nausea. The Tdap vaccine does not contain live bacteria, meaning it cannot cause whooping cough in the vaccinated individual.
Important Safety Information
The Tdap vaccine is considered very safe for both the pregnant individual and their developing baby. Studies affirm that receiving the vaccine during pregnancy does not increase the risk of adverse pregnancy complications, including preterm delivery, low birth weight, or congenital anomalies. Serious adverse events following Tdap vaccination in pregnancy are extremely rare. Regulatory bodies like the FDA have approved Tdap vaccines for use in pregnant individuals, and ongoing safety monitoring has not identified any concerning patterns. The protective benefits gained by both the pregnant person and their baby are widely considered to outweigh the minimal and temporary risks associated with the vaccine’s mild side effects.
Timing of Vaccination
For optimal protection, the Tdap vaccine is recommended during a specific window in pregnancy, typically between 27 and 36 weeks of gestation. Health organizations advise receiving the vaccine during the earlier part of this third-trimester period. This timing is strategic because it allows for the development of the highest possible levels of protective antibodies in the pregnant person’s body.
Antibody levels usually peak about two weeks after vaccination, allowing sufficient time for these antibodies to be transferred across the placenta to the baby before birth. Vaccinating during each pregnancy, regardless of previous vaccination history, is also recommended. This ensures each newborn receives maximum passive immunity, as antibody levels naturally decrease over time.