Why Vaccines are Essential: Pertussis and Tetanus Edition

One of modern medicine’s greatest success stories, vaccines are an incredibly important tool at our pediatric clinic in Portland. Childhood vaccination has mitigated many dangerous diseases that once threatened countless lives, including polio, tetanus and measles.

 Recent events show how quickly diseases can return. In 2024, Oregon reported over 1,100 cases of pertussis (whooping cough), its highest number since the 1950s. And in 2025, it exceeded that number by August. This resurgence is a clear reminder of why vaccines are essential to keeping our communities safe.

 

Why Vaccines Are Critical

Vaccines are a safe and highly effective way to keep your family healthy. They protect not only the person who receives them, but also more vulnerable people in our society, including babies, older adults and individuals with weakened immune systems. Here’s a closer look at the diseases that key vaccines like DTaP and Tdap protect against:

• Pertussis is a bacterial infection that causes violent, uncontrollable coughing. For infants, it can lead to pneumonia, brain damage and even death.
• Tetanus, also known as lockjaw, causes painful muscle stiffness that can make swallowing and breathing difficult. Because there is no cure, it can be fatal.
• Diphtheria, once a major killer in the U.S., can lead to breathing difficulties, heart failure, paralysis and death.

Before vaccines, these diseases caused hundreds of thousands of cases annually. Today, those numbers have dropped dramatically—proof that vaccinations work. For the American Academy of Pediatric’s recommended vaccine schedule for kids, go here. 

 

How DTap and Tdap Work

The good news is that vaccines are a reliable way to prevent these illnesses. Here’s how you can ensure your family is fully protected:

• Children: The DTaP vaccine is recommended for young children. Starting as an infant, your child will receive doses at two, four, six and 15-18 months, with a booster at 4-5 years old.
• Adolescents and Adults: The Tdap vaccine is suitable for those seven years and older. Adolescents should ideally receive a single dose around age 11-12. Adults who haven’t received Tdap before should get a dose, followed by a booster every 10 years (or sooner if you suffer a severe wound).
• Pregnant Women: Tdap is recommended during each pregnancy to protect newborns from pertussis. This offers them critical protection during their most vulnerable period.

Remember, it’s much safer—and easier—to prevent a disease through vaccination than to treat it after you or your child has gotten it. 

 

Mild Side Effects are Common

Like any medicine, vaccines can have side effects, but these are typically mild if they happen at all. Some common side effects include a slight fever, tiredness, body aches or a bit of redness and tenderness where the shot was given. These mild reactions usually fade on their own within a few days. 

Serious, long-term side effects are incredibly rare. The CDC closely monitors and investigates any reports of such side effects to ensure the safety of vaccines. 

 

Take the Next Step

Vaccination is not just about health—it’s about community, responsibility and safety. If your family hasn’t yet updated their vaccines, now is the time.

Schedule your child’s vaccination appointment today! Our Portland pediatricians are here to answer any questions you may have, ensuring your family is informed and fully protected. Together, we can keep illnesses like these at bay and continue to build healthier, stronger communities.