I'd like to comment on "Tetanus Prophylaxis: Giving a Boost to Immunity" in Advice p.r.n. (February 2007).* You recommended that a patient who hasn't been immunized for tetanus within 5 to 10 years be given a booster of tetanus and diphtheria toxoids (Td), depending on his injury. Patients ages 11 to 64 can now receive the newly approved Adacel (Tdap) vaccine, which includes tetanus toxoid, reduced diphtheria toxoid, and acellular pertussis vaccine absorbed. Besides tetanus and diphtheria, this vaccine provides booster immunization against pertussis, which is on the rise. It's the first vaccine approved as a pertussis booster in adults.

Childhood immunity to pertussis wanes 5 to 10 years after completion of the childhood vaccination. By vaccinating adults and adolescents with Tdap, we're also protecting nonimmunized or partially immunized infants and children.

DONNA McPARTLAN, RN

Deer Park, N.Y.

^*Individual subscribers can access this article free online at http://www.nursing2007.com. [Context Link]