Tag:

diphtheria

Vaccines and pregnancy

by TheVaccineMom October 3, 2017

The CDC recommends the pertussis (whooping cough) and flu vaccines during every pregnancy.

The pertussis vaccine is particularly important during pregnancy. Pertussis can be life-threatening to your newborn.

The pertussis vaccine (most commonly given in the Tdap vaccine–includes tetanus, diphtheria, and acellular pertussis) should given between 27-32 weeks gestation. The earlier the better. It will take at least two weeks for your body to make antibodies and pass them to your unborn child. Getting the vaccine around 27 weeks allows enough time for antibodies to form just in case you go into labor early.

These antibodies will normally protect the newborn until he is able to get his DTaP vaccine at 2 months (in the US).

Make sure you get this vaccine during EVERY pregnancy. The vaccine is mainly given to protect the child. You must get it every pregnancy to protect each child from pertussis. And it is safe for you to do so.

Next up…the flu shot. It is safe and recommended by the CDC to get the flu shot during pregnancy.

October 3, 2017

Children's Vaccines

Diphtheria, Tetanus, and acellular Pertussis (DTaP) Vaccine

by TheVaccineMom March 12, 2014

written by TheVaccineMom

The DTaP vaccine protects your child from getting tetanus (lockjaw), diphtheria, and acellular pertussis (whooping cough). All three of these are potentially life-threatening bacterial infections.

Tetanus

The bacteria the causes tetanus is called Clostridium tetani and is often found in the soil. In the United States, tetanus is most often transmitted through a break in the skin, such as a deep puncture, like stepping on a nail. However, injuries that involve dead skin (burns, frostbite, gangrene, crush injuries, etc.) are more likely to cause tetanus. Wounds contaminated with soil, saliva, or feces, and that are not properly cleaned, as well as punctures with non sterile needles are at an increased risk for tetanus.

March 12, 2014

Vaccine Terminology

How are vaccines made and released to the public?

by TheVaccineMom February 17, 2014

written by TheVaccineMom

A vaccine’s main goal is to teach your immune system to recognize and remember a bacteria or virus.

The word “vaccination” means to stimulate the immune system to make antibodies against the bacteria or virus targeted by the vaccine.

“Immunization” is different; it’s used in relation to injecting a person with pre-formed antibodies to a particular disease to make the person immune to it.

These terms are often used interchangeably, and that’s just fine, however it’s important to understand that these are two very different ways of creating immunity to a disease.

February 17, 2014