Tdap Vaccination for Partners of Pregnant Women
Yes, you should get a Tdap vaccine as soon as possible since your wife is pregnant, even if you received one a couple of years ago. 1
Why Tdap Vaccination Is Important
The CDC strongly recommends that all adults who have or anticipate having close contact with infants under 12 months of age receive a Tdap vaccine if they have not previously received it. This specifically includes:
- Parents
- Grandparents
- Siblings
- Childcare providers
- Other regular caregivers 1
This recommendation is based on the "cocooning" strategy, which aims to protect vulnerable newborns from pertussis (whooping cough) by ensuring that everyone around them is vaccinated.
Next Steps
Verify your vaccination status: Since you're unsure if you received the Tdap vaccine a couple of years ago, check with your primary care provider or previous vaccination sites to confirm.
Get vaccinated regardless of timing: Even if records show you received a tetanus-containing vaccine (like Td) within the past few years, you should still receive Tdap to protect against pertussis. The Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) considers an interval as short as 2 years between tetanus-containing vaccines acceptable when protecting infants is the goal. 1, 2
Timing of vaccination: Ideally, you should receive the Tdap vaccine at least 2 weeks before having close contact with your newborn to allow time for antibody development. 1
Where to get vaccinated: You can receive the Tdap vaccine at:
- Your primary care provider's office
- Local pharmacy
- Public health department
- Urgent care centers
Important Considerations
Safety: Studies have shown that receiving Tdap even less than 2 years after a previous tetanus-containing vaccine is safe. A study of healthcare workers found no significant increase in moderate or severe injection site reactions when Tdap was given less than 2 years after a previous tetanus vaccination. 2
Effectiveness: Maternal vaccination during pregnancy and vaccination of close contacts can reduce the risk of pertussis in infants by up to 77.7%, with effectiveness increasing to 90.5% against hospitalized cases. 3
Pertussis risk: Infants under 3 months have the highest risk of severe complications and death from pertussis. They don't begin their own vaccination series until approximately 2 months of age, leaving them vulnerable during their early weeks of life. 4
Contraindications
You should not receive the Tdap vaccine if you have:
- A history of severe allergic reaction to any component of the vaccine
- A history of encephalopathy within 7 days of a previous pertussis-containing vaccine 1
If you have an unstable neurologic condition, consult with your healthcare provider before receiving Tdap.
By getting vaccinated, you're taking an important step to protect your newborn from pertussis, which remains a significant cause of infant morbidity and mortality despite routine childhood vaccination programs.