During pregnancy, you can take care of your baby's health and yours in many ways. One of the vaccinations your doctor may recommend is DTP, which is a vaccine against tetanus, pertussis and diphtheria. It will help protect your child from serious illness. In this article, you will learn what the DPT vaccine is, when to do it, and what its benefits are.
What is DTP?
DTP stands for adsorbed diphtheria-tetanus pertussis vaccine. This comprehensive vaccination protects you against three diseases:
- Tetanus;
- Diphtheria;
- Whooping cough .
How long does the DPT vaccine last?
The vaccine should be repeated every ten years. Pregnant women are generally advised to be vaccinated at a specific time in their pregnancy so that it can also protect the newborn from pertussis.
When do you get the DPT vaccine?
During your routine doctor's checkup in your third trimester, seventh month of pregnancy , your doctor may discuss vaccinations with you. If your doctor hasn't suggested getting the shot, ask why.
Who needs a DPT vaccine
The tetanus, pertussis and diphtheria vaccine is recommended for adults, adolescents, healthcare professionals, and pregnant women. Anyone who is in close contact with a baby under 12 months old should also be vaccinated.
Why is the DPT vaccine done during pregnancy?
This vaccine is given to pregnant women as it protects the baby from whooping cough right after birth. After vaccination, your body will have high levels of antibodies that will be passed on to your baby, protecting him from whooping cough from birth until the first vaccination can be given. The earliest age when a baby can be vaccinated is 2 months . Read more about the infant vaccination schedule in the childhood vaccination calendar.
Is DTP vaccine safe during pregnancy?
Yes. The vaccine is made from inactive bacteria and is safe during pregnancy. According to experts, there is no risk of pregnancy complications associated with the DPT vaccine.
When to get the DTP vaccine
The vaccine can be done at any stage of pregnancy, but the best time is between the 27th and 36th weeks . It takes your body about two weeks to make antibodies, so getting vaccinated in the third trimester ensures that the antibodies are passed on to your baby before birth. If you are unable to get the DPT vaccine during pregnancy, talk with your doctor if you can get it right after birth, before leaving the hospital. It is also recommended to be vaccinated with DPT at every pregnancy, since the protective functions of the vaccine in one pregnancy do not work during another.
Do all close family members need to be vaccinated with DTP?
Yes, because the risk of contracting whooping cough from an unvaccinated person is higher for a baby. Anyone who will come into contact with an infant before he is one year old should be vaccinated with DPT vaccine in the last ten years or at least two weeks before contact with the baby.
The DPT shot will help protect you from diseases such as tetanus, diphtheria, and whooping cough. This same vaccine will protect your baby from whooping cough in the first two months of life, until he gets a separate vaccine.
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Pregnancy