FDA Approves Adacel for Immunization During Pregnancy to Help Protect Young Infants Against Pertussis
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved Adacel (Tetanus Toxoid, Reduced Diphtheria Toxoid and Acellular Pertussis Vaccine Adsorbed) during the third trimester of pregnancy to help protect against pertussis in infants younger than two months of age.
Adacel is a vaccine given to people 10 through 64 years of age to help prevent tetanus (lockjaw), diphtheria, and pertussis (whooping cough). If given during the third trimester of pregnancy, Adacel helps the pregnant woman create antibodies against the bacteria that cause whooping cough (pertussis) that are passed to her baby before birth. These antibodies help protect the baby against whooping cough during the first few months of life.
Pertussis, also known as whooping cough, is a highly contagious respiratory infection. Very young infants
are at the highest risk of pertussis complications because of their developing immune systems. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends Tdap vaccination during every
pregnancy.
