Thanks so much for writing. The combination vaccine that you're referring to is known as DTaP which is a vaccination for Diphtheria, Tetanus, and Pertussis. However, this is a childhood vaccine that is generally given before a child even enters school. But older people still need protection. A vaccine called Tdap is similar to DTaP. A single dose of Tdap is recommended for people 11 through 64 years of age. Another vaccine, called Td, protects against tetanus and diphtheria, but not pertussis. It is recommended every 10 years.
If you would like to know whether you are protected against Diphtheria and Pertussis, what you can do is go to your doctor and get a blood test known as a "titer" done-- the antibody titer is a test that measures the presence and amount of antibodies in blood and whether or not you could benefit from the vaccines. Unfortunately, because you just got a tetanus booster, you won't be able to get a combination vaccine any time soon-- since it's recommended about every 10 years. Use this information for future reference so that you can bring it up to your doctor if you would like to also be protected against Diphtheria and Pertussis.
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Hi Peter,
Thanks so much for writing. The combination vaccine that you're referring to is known as DTaP which is a vaccination for Diphtheria, Tetanus, and Pertussis. However, this is a childhood vaccine that is generally given before a child even enters school. But older people still need protection. A vaccine called Tdap is similar to DTaP. A single dose of Tdap is recommended for people 11 through 64 years of age. Another vaccine, called Td, protects against tetanus and diphtheria, but not pertussis. It is recommended every 10 years.
If you would like to know whether you are protected against Diphtheria and Pertussis, what you can do is go to your doctor and get a blood test known as a "titer" done-- the antibody titer is a test that measures the presence and amount of antibodies in blood and whether or not you could benefit from the vaccines. Unfortunately, because you just got a tetanus booster, you won't be able to get a combination vaccine any time soon-- since it's recommended about every 10 years. Use this information for future reference so that you can bring it up to your doctor if you would like to also be protected against Diphtheria and Pertussis.
Best Wishes,
Rosa
July 15, 2011 - 8:22amThis Comment
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