PSA - In light of whooping cough making a strong comeback, please get your Tdap Booster shot

[Godhumor]

If you haven't already.

A one time shot recommended for anyone between 11 and 64.

Whooping cough is highly contagious and is spreading rapidly, primarily in Australia, once again. The primary carriers of whooping cough are adults who are no longer or were never immune to the highly contagious disease. The primary victims are infants too young to receive the vaccine.

Check with your primary care physician to make sure you're up to date on your pertussis immunization. Help lower the number of potential carriers for this disease that is making a very scary return to prominance.

On edit: http://www.helppreventwhoopingcough.com/get-the-facts-about-the-vaccine.html is a great resource for learning about Tdap and what it does.

[leftyladyfrommo]

1. I got mine a few months ago.

I scraped my hand on metal outside and needed to get tetanus. So I just got the whole deal. I had no reaction to that shot at all.

[xchrom]

2. indeed. nt

[Godhumor]

3. Going to keep this bumped for a bit n/t

[REP]

4. Is the Tdap what you get when you get a tetanus booster?

I know I'm current on tetanus ...

[Godhumor]

5. Depends on the booster. You might have gotten a TD booster

Which would not have protection from whooping cough (The P in Tdap). Only way to know for sure is to check your immunization records.

[REP]

6. Good idea!

Yeah I thought about doing that, but asking a dumb question in public kicks this thread! :hi:

[hugo_from_TN]

7. I got mine yesterday!

What a coincidence.

[Maraya1969]

8. I had whooping cough as a child. Do they recommend a shot for that circumstance?

[Godhumor]

9. Yes, immunity from having the disease wears off, so a booster is still recommended

I know a lot of JHS and HS are now requiring all students to get the booster regardless of whether they had whooping cough in the past or not.

[csziggy]

10. Does having whooping cough as a child give you immunity for life

Because I had it before the vaccinations were developed. If it doesn't, I need to go get a booster because I don't want to have it again!

[Godhumor]

11. Whooping cough immunity wears off rather quickly, actually. Booster is recommended for all 11 to 64

Year olds, regardless of past infection.

[csziggy]

12. Thanks - guess I will add that to my list for my next doctor's visit n/t

[REP]

13. How often should one get a Tdap? Every 10 years?

I could look it up but asking dumb questions in public kicks this thread!

[Godhumor]

14. Heh. No, it is a one time booster. It is only available in Tdap form, though

So, you can't it separate from the TD.

I'm in my mid-30s. My boosters were Td only, so I've asked to get the Tdap next week.