DTaP for 7 year old?

[mangosink0]

I have intended on getting my DS the DTaP booster, but wanted to prolong it as long as possible. It has slipped my mind and I find myself 5 days from his
7th bday wondering if I need to get the shot prior to him turning 7, or will they still give it a few days after he's 7? FYI, we are selective vaxers, and he hasn't had any vaxs since the single measles at age 3, but had all the infant vaxes on schedule (before I knew better) and didn't react to any of them.

Forgot to mention, the reason I want him to have the pertussis portion, is I'm expecting a new babe in October, who I WON"T be vaxing as an infant. I know the vax won't prevent transmission to the babe, but couldn't it prevent DS from getting pertussis in the first place, and thus prevent the babe from getting it??
TIA.

Hollie

[ammiga]

DTaP doesn't prevent your DS from contracting pertussis. It supposedly prevents the toxin from taking hold in his lungs, which is the cause of the "whoop". But he can still contract it and pass it on to anyone else.

[Marnica]

Yup....your DS could still contract WC and pass it to the new baby.

[heathergirl67]

They will still allow your son to get a Tdap booster past the age of seven. Heck, I just got one today! I had Pertussis when I was a teenager and I was miserable. It lasted, not exaggerating, for three months! It's going around again, and I do not want to have to endure that again. If you get the shot and get Pertussis after that, it's supposed to be a much milder version. ::fingers crossed:: I believe they started allowing people over the age of 7 to get the Tdap in 2005, so it shouldn't be a big deal to get one from your doctor. GL! And contracts on the new baby!

[amnesiac]

In the US, there is actually a gap there - DTaP is for use in kids under 7. Once he turns 7, if the place you take him is adhering to product labeling & CDC guidelines, they will give Td. Tdap doesn't start until either 10 or 11 depending on which product is used.