What are the diseases that the Tdap vaccine prevents?
• Pertussis – also known as whooping cough, is a contagious disease that causes violent coughing fits that make it hard to breathe. It spreads easily when someone with the disease coughs or sneezes. The symptoms can last for months. Whooping cough is particularly dangerous for young babies. • Tetanus – causes a severe, painful tightening (spasms) of muscles, including of the jaw (‘lockjaw’), which can limit swallowing and breathing. • Diphtheria – is a throat infection that can lead to breathing problems, paralysis, heart failure and death. What are Tdap, Td and related vaccines? A) Vaccines for adolescents and adults: 1) Tdap vaccine is a booster shot to protect adolescents and adults against tetanus, diphtheria and pertussis (whooping cough). The name Tdap stands for T Tetanus toxoid d reduced diphtheria toxoid ap acellular pertussis vaccine Tdap is routinely administered on or after the 10th birthday. A dose of Tdap vaccine given on or after the 7th birthday meets the new school req
