Quick Links:

• Pertussis Walk-In Immunizations (Chester County Health Department)
• Information on Pertussis Vaccinations (CDC)
• Pertussis Information (CDC)
• Pertussis - What you need to know (CDC)

Posted: February 3, 2012

Due to the recent increase in cases of pertussis in our community, people may have questions about having received protective immunizations while here as patients in our Hospital or Emergency Dept.

There are 2 vaccines that protect against pertussis, also known as whooping cough.

DTaP is the vaccine given to children 6 years old and younger. The first dose is not given until the child is 2 months old. It is part of the routine immunizations usually given to children by their healthcare provider at well child check-ups. This vaccine protects children against Diptheria, tetanus, and pertussis. Until 2005, there was no additional vaccine for pertussis that was approved for use in anyone over 6 years old.

Tdap is a vaccine just licensed in 2005 for the protection of adolescents and adults. It protects against tetanus, diphtheria and pertussis. As we get older, the immunizations most of us received as children become less effective. Tdap was developed as a way to boost, or recreate, the immunity we had as children.

Another related vaccine, Td, refers to the vaccine that is commonly called a "tetanus shot". It protects against tetanus and diphtheria but not pertussis. It is often given as a result of a "dirty" injury, like stepping on a nail, to prevent tetanus (also known as lockjaw). This vaccine can be given to anyone 7 years old or older. People should be revaccinated with Td at least every 10 years.

Here is some information that may help if you have questions about immunizations you may have received here at the Chester County Hospital:

• We do not administer DTaP to children of any age in Pediatrics or the Nursery. It is not indicated for infants under 2 months old or if a child is acutely ill. The only exception would be if your newborn was in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit for more than 2 months. DTap may have been given in this case. You should check your child's medical record in this situation.
• We do not offer DTaP or Tdap in our Emergency Dept. If you received a vaccine in our Emergency Dept., it was a regular tetanus shot which provides no protection from pertussis.
• Tdap was not available until 2005. Adolescents and adults would not have been immunized for pertussis in any setting prior to 2005.
• Until recently (in the past month), Tdap was only approved to be given AFTER delivery. We began offering it to post-partum mothers in 2009. You would not have received Tdap during your pregnancy. Also, you would not have received Tdap if you delivered a baby at The Chester County Hospital prior to 2009.
• There are other circumstances, like allergic reactions to previous vaccines or having gotten a tetanus shot in the last 2 years, that can prevent you from receiving these vaccines even when they are indicated.

Finally, please remember that immunizations do not act immediately. It generally takes 10 days to 2 weeks after you receive vaccine to develop protective immunity.

Last Updated: 5/25/2012