Adacel Vaccine
Adacel Vaccine: Benefits, Risks, and Recommendations
What is the Adacel Vaccine?
The Adacel vaccine is a combination vaccine that protects against tetanus, diphtheria, and acellular pertussis (whooping cough). It is typically given to children as a series of shots starting at 2 months of age.
Benefits of the Adacel Vaccine
The Adacel vaccine is highly effective in preventing tetanus, diphtheria, and whooping cough. These diseases can be serious, even life-threatening, especially in young children.
- Tetanus is a bacterial infection that causes painful muscle spasms. It can be fatal if not treated promptly.
- Diphtheria is a bacterial infection that can cause difficulty breathing, heart failure, and paralysis. It can also be fatal.
- Whooping cough is a bacterial infection that causes severe coughing spells. It can be spread through close contact with an infected person. Whooping cough can be serious, especially in infants.
The Adacel vaccine is safe and effective. It has been shown to be 95% effective in preventing tetanus, 94% effective in preventing diphtheria, and 85% effective in preventing whooping cough.
Risks of the Adacel Vaccine
The Adacel vaccine is generally safe. However, like all vaccines, it can cause some side effects. The most common side effects include:
- Pain, redness, and swelling at the injection site
- Fever
- Drowsiness
- Loss of appetite
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
These side effects are usually mild and go away within a few days. Serious side effects from the Adacel vaccine are rare.
Recommendations for the Adacel Vaccine
The Adacel vaccine is recommended for all children starting at 2 months of age. It is given as a series of shots, with the last shot given at 6 years of age.
The Adacel vaccine is also recommended for adults who have not been vaccinated against tetanus, diphtheria, or whooping cough. Adults who have been vaccinated should get a booster shot every 10 years.
The Adacel vaccine is an important part of protecting children and adults from these serious diseases. It is safe, effective, and recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
References:
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2020, January 16). Tetanus, Diphtheria, and Pertussis (Tdap) Vaccine Information Statement. Retrieved from https://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/vpd/dtap/index.html
- U.S. Food and Drug Administration. (2019, December 20). Adacel. Retrieved from https://www.fda.gov/vaccines-blood-biologics/vaccines/adacel
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