My pregnant daughter had a recent hand injury and received a tetanus shot. She needs to get the pertussis vaccine but it is not available as a single vaccine. Would it hurt her or the baby if she had the combination of pertussis and tetn.? Thanks so much, Worried grandmother to be
Hello, There is no documented harmful effects in either mother or in the growing baby. Pertussis vaccine is not available alone it is usually given in combination with tetanus and diphtheria vaccines (Trap vaccine). Babies who get whooping cough can have serious complications such as pneumonia, convulsions, and brain damage. Hence, it is very important for pregnant women to get vaccinated against pertussis (whooping cough). Ideally, the Trap vaccine should be given between 27 and 36 weeks of pregnancy and its one booster dose during each pregnancy. It is found to be safe for both the mother and the growing baby. Hope I have answered your query. Let me know if I can assist you further. Take care Chat Doctor.