On January 9, 2022, the FDA approved Adacel (Sanofi Pasteur) for third-trimester immunization to prevent whooping cough in infants under two months of age.
In October, the FDA approved another Tdap vaccine known as Boostrix (GlaxoSmithKline) for the same indication. Boostrix is the first vaccine specifically approved to prevent neonatal illness through vaccination during pregnancy.
These vaccines are breakthrough because they protect newborns before the recommended age of first vaccination at 2 months of age. “Her Tdap vaccination during pregnancy reduces the risk of pertussis infection in the first two months of life in a newborn by approximately 90%, and reduces her mortality from infant whooping cough in vaccinated mothers by 95%. .”1
The vaccine is currently indicated for the following uses:
Aggressive booster against tetanus, diphtheria and pertussis. Adacel is approved for use between the ages of 10 and 64.
Late pregnancy vaccination to prevent whooping cough in infants under 2 months of age.
The vaccine is given as a single intramuscular injection.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), whooping cough begins as a common cold, but is different in that patients may develop a cough that lasts weeks or months. Increases the importance of the Tdap vaccine for mothers.
Even healthy babies can get whooping cough, says the CDC. They may only have the antibodies they received from their mother to protect themselves from infections.
The CDC also says that many babies with whooping cough don’t cough at all. Instead, it can cause apnea, making your baby blue or struggling to breathe, the site says. I have.2
References
- Amirthalingam G, Campbell H, Ribeiro S and others. The effectiveness of the maternal whooping cough vaccination program in the UK has persisted three years after he was introduced. Clin Infect Dis. 2016;63(S4):S236 S236–S243.
- CDC. Whooping cough is fatal to babies. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Published December 1, 2022. Accessed January 13, 2023. https://www.cdc.gov/pertussis/pregnant/mom/deadly-disease-for-baby.html