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TDAP Vaccine: Everything You Need to Know

Is It A Live Vaccine?

No it isn’t. Tetanus, diaphtheria, and pertussis are no live vaccinations.

Examples not vaccines that are not live include:

  • Subunits: these are vaccines that contain only part of the microbe that contains inactivated toxins
  • Inactivated vaccines: these vaccine contains microbes killed by heat, chemicals, or radiation
  • Conjugate: these vaccines contains a subunit connected to a toxoid

Because the TDAP vaccine is not live, these diseases can not occur.

Tetanus

Tetanus does not spread from person to person, meaning it is a non-communicable disease. It is caused by a bacterial that is usually found in soil, dust, and manure, the bacteria enters the body through skin breaks.

Because one of the most typical symptoms of this infection is a tightening of the jaw muscles, tetanus is frequently referred to as “lockjaw.”

Tetanus can cause serious health issues, such as difficulty opening your mouth, difficulty breathing, and difficulty swallowing.

With only about 30 reported cases on average each year, tetanus is now rare in the United States.