**ColoRxGirl**

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Hey -- question for you about vaccinations!

Our pedi recommended that DH and I both get a pertussis vac.  We both were vaccinated against it in childhood, but he said it would be a good idea to get one now.  My doc only offers a tetanus/pertussis combo for adults -- we can't just get the pertussis.  If I had a tetanus shot recently will it hurt me to get it again?  Is it any less effective when it's a combo?

ColoRxGirl

I do recommend that adults and teens get revax'd for pertussis if it has been since childhood since you last had it.

I wouldn't be too concerned about an "extra" Tetanus vax - we give it emergently to nearly all our traumatically injured patients in the event they haven't had it in a while.  Worst case scenario if you've had Tetanus vax recently is that you may experience a more serious local reaction (pain, swelling at the site of injection) - but it's unlikely to be severe.

Have you verified with whomever adminstered your last Tetanus vax that it did not contain pertussis?  People often get the combo shot - so you may just want to double-check if you really need it.

And no, there is no reduction in efficacy with the combo injection. 

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Thanks lady!  My tetanus was in the ER and it was JUST tetanus.  This is super helpful.

I'd asked the nurse in my PCP's office on the phone, but her answer was about 5 words. 

ColoRxGirl

No problem!

This website has good info if you need more.