tdap as an adult :: Article CreatorDo Adults Need Booster Shots For Childhood Vaccines? Expert Weighs In
Vaccination is one of man's most beneficial inventions, which helps protect against various illnesses. It is not just for children; rather, many vaccines require booster shots in adulthood to maintain immunity. Over time, the protection provided by childhood vaccinations can wane, making future boosters crucial for preventing serious diseases.
In an interaction with the OnlyMyHealth team, Dr Joydeep Ghosh, Internal Medicine Specialist, Fortis Hospital, Anandapur, explains which vaccines require boosters, why immunity declines, and how adults can stay up to date.
Also Read: 10 Serious Diseases Childhood Vaccines can Prevent
Childhood Vaccines That Require Booster Shots In Adulthood
Several vaccines administered in childhood require periodic boosters to maintain immunity:
Tdap/Td Vaccine: A booster shot is recommended every 10 years to protect against tetanus, diphtheria, and pertussis (whooping cough).
MMR Vaccine (Measles, Mumps, Rubella): Adults who lack immunity may need a booster dose.
Influenza (Flu) Vaccine: Annual flu vaccination is recommended for all adults, particularly those with chronic health conditions or weakened immune systems.
Pneumococcal Vaccine: Recommended for older adults and individuals with certain medical conditions.
Shingles Vaccine: Advised for adults over 50 to prevent shingles and related complications.
COVID-19 Vaccine: Booster shots are recommended for certain populations, such as individuals aged 65 and older, to maintain protection against COVID-19.
Why Does Immunity Wane Over Time?
According to Dr Ghosh, immunity from childhood vaccinations can wane over time due to several factors. He explains that a natural decrease in immune response occurs as part of the body's ageing process. Antibodies produced after vaccination have a limited half-life, lasting from months to years, and while immunological memory cells remain, their ability to combat pathogens may weaken over time.
Additionally, repeated exposure to pathogens can contribute to a gradual reduction in immunity. Ageing also impacts the immune system, leading to decreased efficiency in fighting infections.
Furthermore, vaccine-specific factors such as the type of vaccine, its formulation, and the method of administration play a role in determining how long immunity lasts.
Also Read: When Can You Take Covid-19 Booster Shot, Dos and Donts After Taking It
How Can Adults Check If They Need Vaccine Boosters?
Here's how adults can check if they need vaccine boosters or not:
Talk to parents or caregivers about vaccination records; ask if they have records of childhood vaccinations. Check with the healthcare professional's office for vaccination records. Check with healthcare organisations where care was received as a child. Check with schools or employers that require vaccinations. Contact the state health department to see if adult immunisations are registered. Conclusion
Childhood vaccinations are extremely important. However, it is as important to get booster shots for certain vaccinations as immunity from the previous vaccination can wane over time. Adults should stay informed about their vaccination status and consult healthcare providers to determine whether they need booster doses. Regular immunisation not only protects individual health but also helps prevent the spread of infectious diseases within communities.
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Whooping Cough Vaccine
You can help stop the spread of whooping cough by washing your hands often and covering coughs and sneezes. But getting the vaccine is the best way to prevent it. (Photo Credit: Moment/Getty Images)
The whooping cough vaccine protects against whooping cough, also called pertussis. This disease can spread when an infected person sneezes or coughs. This can be common among family members or others who share a household. The CDC recommends the whooping cough vaccine, also known as the pertussis vaccine, for everyone, including:
Babies Children Preteens Adults Pregnant people The vaccine is especially important for babies.
"Infants and children younger than 1 year are at the highest risk of death," says Megan Hiles, MD, director of the Wellness and Prevention Clinics at National Jewish Health in Denver, CO.
Whooping cough vaccines have two different types. Which type you get will depend on your age.
DTaP vaccine
Babies and children aged up to 7 get this vaccine. It includes vaccines that protect against at least three diseases. These vaccines are:
The diphtheria (D) vaccine The tetanus (T) vaccine The acellular pertussis (aP) vaccine Currently, there are seven different FDA-approved versions of the DTaP vaccine. All of them protect against whooping cough, diphtheria, and tetanus. But some of them protect against other diseases, such as:
Polio Hepatitis B Haemophilus influenza type B (Hib) "These combination vaccines are often preferred for convenience when multiple vaccines are due at the same visit," says Priya Soni, MD, a pediatric infectious diseases specialist at Cedars Sinai in Los Angeles, CA. "Some clinics stock certain DTaP vaccines based on supply, ease of use, and insurance coverage."
The CDC advises three doses of the DTaP vaccine at the following ages:
2 months 4 months 6 months The CDC also advises two booster shots of the DTaP vaccine to maintain protection. Children should receive their booster shots on the following schedule:
Between 15 and 18 months of age Between 4 and 6 years of age Tdap vaccine
This vaccine is for preteens, teenagers, and adults. It's a booster vaccine given to maintain protection against whooping cough, diphtheria, and tetanus. Preteens should get it at age 11 or 12. If your preteen didn't receive a Tdap, make sure they get it the next time they see a health care provider.
Adults should get a Tdap vaccine every 10 years to stay protected against whooping cough, diphtheria, and tetanus. If you're an adult who hasn't yet had a Tdap vaccine, the CDC advises getting one.
"A single TDaP booster should be administered to all adults over 19 years who haven't previously received the vaccine," says Hiles. This, she adds, includes adults who don't have a functioning spleen and immunocompromised adults.
You have many options for where to receive your whooping cough vaccine. For babies and children receiving their routine vaccines, you may visit:
Your pediatrician's office Family health clinics Public health departments If you're an adult in need of a whooping cough vaccine, your health care provider can likely give you the vaccine. They can refer you elsewhere if they don't have the vaccine available. You also can check with a local pharmacy. Federally funded health centers offer whooping cough vaccines. You can find one by entering your location here: https://findahealthcenter.Hrsa.Gov/. You can also call your local or state health agency.
Your health insurance should cover the cost of your whooping cough vaccine. The CDC's Vaccines for Children program can help if you can't afford the vaccine.
Yes. Unlike some vaccines, the whooping cough vaccine may not protect you against the disease for life. You may become less immune 5-10 years after your last childhood vaccine. This is why it's important to get your booster shots on the recommended schedule.
Yes, you can spread whooping cough even if you're vaccinated. But people who are vaccinated are much less likely to get sick from it, says Hiles.
If your child gets all five shots, they're nearly 100% protected against whooping cough for a year. The level of protection from the DTaP vaccine lessens over time. About 70% of children will maintain full protection for five years. The other 30% will still have partial protection. This means that if they get whooping cough, they're less likely to have severe illness.
Yes. The CDC recommends the vaccine for everyone, including adults.
"Vaccination is especially important for adults who will be around infants, health care workers, and those who have obesity or asthma," says Hiles.
As with the DTaP vaccine, the effect of Tdap vaccine that adults (as well as preteens and teens) receive will weaken over time. The CDC estimates that the Tdap vaccine protects 7 in 10 adults for a year after getting the vaccine. After four years, the vaccine protects only 3-4 in 10 people. The CDC recommends a Tdap vaccine every 10 years to maintain protection.
Getting the Tdap whooping cough vaccine while you're pregnant offers protection for your unborn child.
The vaccine is safe for pregnant people. There's no evidence that the Tdap vaccine would raise the chances of miscarriage, preterm birth, or birth defects.
"It's able to protect the baby before they can be vaccinated. Babies don't usually receive their first DTaP vaccine until 2 months of age, leaving them vulnerable to severe whooping cough infections within the first few months of life," says Soni.
Get the vaccine during your third trimester, between week 27 and week 36 of your pregnancy. The CDC recommends getting it early in the third trimester. When you get the vaccine during this period, you reduce the risk of whooping cough during your newborn's first two months by 78%. However, the whooping cough vaccine will still offer some protection if you get it earlier or later in pregnancy. If you don't receive the vaccine while youcre pregnant, get it as soon as possible after your child is born.
This lowers the chances that you'll expose your infant to the illness. Getting the vaccine can also allow you to pass on protective antibodies through breastfeeding, says Hiles.
You need to get the vaccine each time you're pregnant. A booster may also be recommended if you travel to areas where whooping cough is common.
Keep in mind that there can be side effects of the whooping cough vaccine in pregnancy. Usually mild, these side effects don't mess with your daily routine and clear up within a few days.
The most common side effects are redness, soreness, swelling, or pain in the area where you got the shot.
You may feel out of sorts or have a low-grade fever for 24 hours after the injection. Other side effects you may notice in your child include:
Irritability Tiredness Loss of appetite Vomiting The side effects of the whooping cough vaccine for older children and adults are similar, though they may also include headache and nausea or diarrhea.
Though rare, the vaccine can lead to allergic reactions, which can even be deadly. Call 911 if you notice any of the following symptoms:
Hives Swelling in your face or throat Breathing problems Rapid heartbeat Weakness Dizziness If you or your child has had an allergic reaction to vaccines in the past, tell your doctor. You'll want to avoid vaccines with the same ingredients. Your doctor may be able to offer a different vaccine.
Another extremely rare reaction to the whooping cough vaccine is encephalopathy. It's a condition that can cause permanent brain damage or even death if left untreated. It can happen during the week after you get the vaccine. Its symptoms include:
Seizures Hallucinations Uncontrolled movements, such as muscle jerks, tremors, or eye movements Confusion Behavioral changes, such as becoming irritable Memory problems Apathy or depression However, the risks of DTaP, Tdap, and other common vaccines are low.
Washing your hands often and covering coughs and sneezes may keep whooping cough from spreading. But getting the vaccine (in childhood and again as a teen or adult) is the best way to prevent it.
Missoula Public Health Offers Advice Following Recent Whooping Cough Cases
MISSOULA — Whooping cough, also known as pertussis, is in Missoula with 22 reported cases, according to Missoula Public Health.
This infection is no joke, I had it when I was a teenager and can tell you firsthand that it is not something to mess around with.
"[T]hey don't have air, they end up with a vomiting severe coughing fits is what we see and it's it's bad for the babies and for the elderly who are immune compromised," said Missoula Public Health infectious disease specialist Pam Whitney.
Watch the full story:
Missoula Public Health offers advice following recent whooping cough cases
Across Montana, there have been 134 reported cases in 13 jurisdictions, mainly within younger populations like teenagers and infants.
Symptoms of whooping cough may include a cough lasting more than two weeks (up to several months), severe coughing fits that may cause a pause in breathing and vomiting after coughing. And oftentimes, whooping cough has a delayed onset.
"[I]f you've been exposed to somebody who has pertussis or diagnosed with it — the incubation period is nine to ten days. So, it's not like I was exposed to somebody that was having this bad cough in the grocery store and two days later I should have it," Whitney explained. "No, it's a little bit longer nine to 10 days."
"[I]f you have these symptoms or you know you've been exposed...Get to a health care provider and they can start you on antibiotics," Whitney said. "And these antibiotics will shorten the time period that you are continuing to get to a period that you are contagious, so sometimes five days is all it takes with some antibiotics and then you can go back to school where if you don't get on these antibiotics then you're out for like three weeks."
The infection is spread through the air (within three feet of someone) as well as on surfaces, like sharing a straw with someone.
The best protection from whooping cough is being vaccinated, although there is a lapse when the vaccine is not as effective.
Coughing and sneezing into your elbow and good hand hygiene are also important.
"[Y]ou get a booster at the seventh grade but then from the seventh grade to let's say the 20s you are you're not getting that that vaccine booster and so sometimes that pertussis component will start wearing off a little bit," Whitney told MTN.
So if you think you may have come in contact with someone who is contagious, call your health provider and let them know so they can determine the best treatment to get you healthy as soon as possible.
Additional pertussis information from Missoula Public Health
Symptoms may include:
Persistent cough lasting more than two weeks Severe coughing fits, sometimes followed by a "whooping" sound Vomiting after coughing Difficulty breathing, especially in young children Apnea (pauses in breathing), particularly in infants If you suspect you may have pertussis:
Seek medical care: A healthcare provider can evaluate symptoms and perform a test for pertussis. Follow treatment guidelines: If diagnosed, antibiotics can help reduce the severity and prevent further spread. Stay home if sick: Avoid contact with others, especially infants and vulnerable individuals. How to prevent the spread of pertussis:
Get vaccinated: The Tdap and DTaP vaccine is the best protection against pertussis. It is recommended for:Infants and children as part of the DTaP series Pregnant individuals (during each pregnancy) Adults who have never received a Tdap booster Anyone in close contact with infants or high-risk individuals Practice good hygiene: Wash hands frequently, cover coughs and sneezes, and disinfect commonly touched surfaces. Limit exposure: Avoid close contact with individuals who are sick, especially in group settings like schools and childcare facilities. Contact Missoula Public Health at 406-258-3896 for additional information or vaccination resources.
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