A vaccine to protect newborns from pertussis (whooping cough), has been approved by the US FDA.

The Tetanus Toxoid, Reduced Diphtheria Toxoid and Acellular Pertussis Vaccine, Adsorbed (Tdap) is the first vaccine, which can now be given to pregnant mothers during the third trimester of pregnancy to prevent whooping cough in infants younger than two months of age. Administration of the vaccine during pregnancy enhances antibody levels in the mother, which are transferred to her baby. The vaccine has shown 78% efficacy in preventing whooping cough in infants less than 2 months of age.

“Infants younger than two months of age are too young to be protected by the childhood pertussis vaccine series”, said Peter Marks, M.D., Ph.D., director of the FDA’s Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research.

The vaccine is administered in a single dose of 0.5 ml.

The most commonly reported adverse effects in clinical trials have been local pain and redness at the site of injection. Headache, fatigue and gastrointestinal symptoms have also been reported. No vaccine-related maternal or fetal/newborn side effects have been observed with the vaccine, as per the FDA.

Source: US FDA News Release, October 7, 2022