Teens and Tdap Vaccines
The immunization needs of
teenagers may vary depending upon their country of residence, age and previous
immunization. Most teenagers in the western world, will have had early childhood
immunization, but may now need to have up-dated immunization with Tdap
vaccines.
Teenagers, who do not have
current immunization records should contact their family physicians, to find
out what they may have missed or may need with regard to current immunization
protection and disease prevention, specific for their age group. Parents may
have early childhood immunization records for teens or these may need to be
located at pediatrician's offices. Some teenagers may not have received any
immunization at all.
What are Tdap vaccines for
teenagers?
Tdap vaccines are combination
vaccines.
Tdap, sometimes known as dTap,
is the acronym for the collective vaccines preventing tetanus, diphtheria, and
pertussis in adolescents and adults that were licensed in the United States
How do these differ from early
childhood immunization?
These vaccines differ from the
childhood DTaP vaccines, (brand name Daptacel) in their indication. As
indicated by the lower case d and p, the concentration of diphtheria and
pertussis toxoids has been reduced in these adult formulations to prevent
adverse side effects. (2)
How many Tdap vaccines are
available?
Two Tdap vaccines are available
in the U.S. Adacel, manufactured by sanofi pasteur, is licensed for use in
adults ages 11 to 64. Boostrix, manufactured by GlaxoSmithKline, is licensed
for use in adolescents ages 10 to 19. (3)
What is the recommended
immunization schedule for teenagers?
The Recommended Immunization
Schedule for Persons Aged 7 Through 18 Years (US-2009) suggests the following:
Tetanus and diphtheria toxoids
and acellular pertussis vaccine (Tdap):
Minimum age: 10 years for
Boostrix and 11 years for Adacel
Administer at age 11 or 12
years for those who have completed the recommended childhood TPT/DTap
vaccination series and have not received a tetanus and diphtheria toxoid (Td)
booster dose.
Persons aged 13 to 18 years who
have not received Tdap, should receive a dose.
A five year interval from the
last Td dose is encouraged when Tdap is used as a booster does; however a
shorter interval may be used if pertussis immunity is needed. (4)
Are these also recommended for
adults?
An article entitled "FDA
Approval of Expanded Age Indication for a Tetanus Toxoid, Reduced Diphtheria
Toxoid and Acellular Pertussis Vaccine", dated April 17, 2009 suggests that this
should also be extended to adults, as a one time booster.
For prevention of tetanus,
diphtheria, and pertussis, adolescents and adults are recommended to receive a
one-time booster dose of Tdap. Adolescents aged 11-18 years who have completed
the recommended childhood diphtheria and tetanus toxoids and pertussis vaccine
(DTP)/DTaP vaccination series should receive a single dose of Tdap instead of
tetanus and diphtheria toxoids (Td) vaccine, preferably at a preventive care
visit at age 11 or 12 years. For adults aged 19-64 years who previously have
not received a dose of Tdap, a single dose of Tdap should replace a single
decennial Td booster dose. (5)
Are there further guidelines
for Tdap vaccines?
The U.S. 's Advisory
Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP)
and Canada
Adolescents and adults receive
Tdap in place of their next Td booster (recommended to be given every 10
years).
Tdap can be used as prophylaxis
for tetanus wound management.
Five years between doses of Td
or doses of Td and Tdap is the current standard of care; frequent exposure to
tetanus toxoid can cause local reactions.
People who will be in contact
with young infants are encouraged to get Tdap even if it has been less than 5
years since Td or TT to reduce the risk of infants being exposed to pertussis.
The ACIP statement on Tdap use
in adolescents encourages 5 years between Td and Tdap to reduce this risk;
however, both suggest that shorter intervals may be appropriate in some
circumstances, such as for protection in pertussis outbreaks.
NACI suggests intervals shorter
than 5 years can be used for catch-up programs and other instances where
programmatic concerns make 5-year intervals. (6)
Are there risks associated with
Tdap vaccines?
There are risks associated with
any vaccine administration. Tdap vaccines may cause mild to moderate side
effects including pain, redness or swelling at the injection site. Fever,
headache, tiredness, nausea, vomiting or diarrhea may occur. Chills, body
aches, sore joints, rash or swollen lymph glands are possible. (7)
Who should not receive Tdap
vaccines?
Those who should not receive
Tdap include anyone who has had a previous allergic reaction to DTP, DTaP, DT,
or Td vaccines. Tdap should not be given to those with latex allergies or
anyone who experienced coma or seizure activity, following a previous DTP or
DTaP injection. Physicians advice should be sought for anyone with epilepsy,
nervous system problems, Guillian Barre Syndrome or if there has been severe
pain or swelling after previous vaccine administration. (8)
Teenagers, or their parents,
who have further questions with regard to immunization with Tdap vaccines
should contact their family physicians. There is also further educational
information available online or through local health agencies.
2. Ibid.
3. Ibid.
4.EW56Bhttp://www.aafp.org/online/etc/medialib/aafp_org/documents/clinical/immunization/adolsched.Par.0001.File.dat/09adolescentsched.pdfWH6PDEW56Bhttp://www.aafp.org/online/etc/medialib/aafp_org/documents/clinical/immunization/adolsched.Par.0001.File.dat/09adolescentsched.pdfWH6PDhZ6EFPZ6EFPttp://www.aafp.org/online/etc/medialib/aafp_org/documents/clinical/immunization/adolsched.Par.0001.File.dat/09adolescentsched.pdf
6. Op. Cit. TDAP
8. Ibid.
No comments:
Post a Comment