How long is the DTaP vaccine effective?!
Question: The diphtheria, tetanus, and pertussis vaccine. I know you normally get 3 rounds in childhood, the last being at about the age 11 or 12. I assume that's when I got my last one, which would be 11 or 12 years ago. Is it still effective? I've been exposed to pertussis and I want to know what my chances are of getting it, since I hear it's extremely contagious.
Answers: The diphtheria, tetanus, and pertussis vaccine. I know you normally get 3 rounds in childhood, the last being at about the age 11 or 12. I assume that's when I got my last one, which would be 11 or 12 years ago. Is it still effective? I've been exposed to pertussis and I want to know what my chances are of getting it, since I hear it's extremely contagious.
It is recommended every 10 years unless you receive a cut or injury that you could possibly get tetanus from in between 5-10 years after receiving your last then it is usually recommended to go ahead a get another one.
EDIT: Also you might want to see if your physician would put you on an antibiotics regimen just in the case you do get it.
After the childhood rounds it is good at max effectiveness for about 10 years, but you will have some good coverage for up to 20.
See your physician. You probably won't get sick but will definitely need a booster shot.
While you are at it, make sure all your vaccines are up to date. If you are female, ask about Gardasil for cervical cancer prevention
In Canada, it's recommended that you get a booster every ten years.
Pertussis is usually mild in adults. Many contract this particular illness unknowingly. They think it's just a cold/cough, but it's dangerous for babies, especially the 0-6 month range.
Before you allow any injection into your body or for your future children, do a little research. What known toxins are in this vaccine? Formaldehyde? Aluminum? Thimerosal (mercury)? Call your doctor's office and find out what product they use and the manufacturer. Then go to the manufacturer's website (like Merck.com) and read the product insert. It's your body. Make an informed decision about what goes into it.
Read about human exposure and possible consequenses of the toxins you identify (I like wikipedia). It's amazing that we are filling a generation of children with toxins every couple of months and then we wonder why so many become learning disabled, autistic, asthmatic, neurologically changed, immunologically damaged, gastrointestinally affected. Our public schools are extremely strained under the pressure. Ask any teacher.
You might care to research how the particular vaccine was made? Some are made using aborted fetal organs (human), others use biological material of animal origin. SV-40 is the name given to the cancer-causing virus that was accidentally given to countless recipients of the early polio vaccine. The virus entered the vaccine through the use of biological material from monkeys. We are still seeing the effects of this mistake today.
This may be more than you need, but it's never to early to recognise that blind trust in the system may not be beneficial. Be informed. Be your own medical manager. Mercola.com is a great source of natural health. Before you have kids, check out thinktwice.com.