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The Tdap vaccine protects against tetanus, diphtheria, and pertussis (whooping cough). A booster dose is recommended periodically through life to maintain protection, as immunity from earlier vaccinations gradually wears off over time.
Evidence checked against current HSE guidance for Tdap booster vaccine, covering the article's core clinical information and relevant assessment, management or safety considerations.
Public health education article
Self-care advice — Speak to your GP or midwife about the recommended timing for your Tdap booster, especially if you're pregnant.
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The Tdap vaccine protects against tetanus, diphtheria, and pertussis (whooping cough). A booster dose is recommended periodically through life to maintain protection, as immunity from earlier vaccinations gradually wears off over time.
Topic-specific prevention and risk reduction will be added during the article-specific evidence audit.
You're pregnant and haven't yet had your recommended Tdap booster
The Tdap vaccine protects against tetanus, diphtheria, and pertussis (whooping cough). A booster dose is recommended periodically through life to maintain protection, as immunity from earlier vaccinations gradually wears off over time.
It's particularly recommended during each pregnancy, ideally in the third trimester, to help protect newborns from whooping cough in their first vulnerable weeks before they can be vaccinated themselves.
Speak to your GP or midwife about the recommended timing for your Tdap booster, especially if you're pregnant.
These measures can help ease symptoms, support recovery, and reduce the chance of things worsening — but they don't replace medical advice if symptoms are severe or persistent.
BarnMD Health Intelligence uses authoritative and clinically relevant sources appropriate to the topic. References are shown so readers can inspect the evidence directly.
BarnMD Health Library provides general health education for public health literacy. Reading this article does not establish a doctor-patient relationship and this information is not a diagnosis, prescription, or personalised treatment plan. If you have symptoms or concerns about your health, seek appropriate advice from a qualified healthcare professional. If you develop emergency warning signs, seek urgent or emergency medical attention.
The Tdap booster is a safe and effective way to protect yourself and, during pregnancy, your baby from serious infections.
Getting vaccinated in every pregnancy, not just the first, gives each new baby the best possible protection against whooping cough.