Home / ACIP Has Updated Its Recommendations on the Use of Tdap Vaccine in Pregnant Women and Children
ACIP Has Updated Its Recommendations on the Use of Tdap Vaccine in Pregnant Women and Children
May 2017
Technically Speaking
Monthly Column by Deborah Wexler, MD
Technically Speaking is a monthly column written by IAC’s Executive Director Deborah Wexler, MD. The column is featured in The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia Vaccine Education Center’s (VEC’s) monthly e-newsletter for healthcare professionals. Technically Speaking columns cover practical topics in immunization delivery such as needle length, vaccine administration, cold chain, and immunization schedules.
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TECHNICALLY SPEAKING
ACIP Has Updated Its Recommendations on the Use of Tdap Vaccine in Pregnant Women and Children
Published May 2017
Information presented in this article may have changed since the original publication date. For the most current immunization recommendations from the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices, visit www.immunize.org/acip/acip_vax.asp.
At its October 2016 meeting, the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) voted to update two of its recommendations for the use of Tdap vaccine (tetanus-, diphtheria-, pertussis-containing vaccine).
For all pregnant women, Tdap vaccine is now recommended to be administered “early” in the 27- through 36-week gestational age window to maximize passive antibody transfer to the infant. Previously, the recommendation was to vaccinate women at any time between 27 and 36 weeks’ gestation.
Children 7 to 10 years of age who receive a dose of Tdap as part of a catch-up series may be given an additional dose of Tdap for the routinely recommended adolescent dose at 11 to 12 years of age. Previously the recommendation was to not give an additional dose of Tdap at age 11 to 12 years in this situation.
Both recommendations are included in the 2017 U.S. immunization schedules, which means they are officially recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
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