Questions about tetanus vaccine

[Nicks Mom]

My son is now 7 1/2.  He has not received any vaccines up until now.  Tomorrow we have an appt with his pediatrician and I had asked for him to begin the tetanus vaccines.  The dr asked if I was ok with the pertussis and diptheria being included as that's what they have.  But now I'm getting nervous about it.  Should I be?  I've read about the pertussis causing more serious reactions in older children - should I ask for a different vaccine?

He's been an extremely healthy child - I'm a bit fearful that starting any vaccines will throw off his immune system.  Maybe I'm over reacting?

[DrBobSears]

i notice that your appointment will have already happened. The thing about DTaP vaccine is that it isn't approved for this age - only up through age 6 years. After that, you are supposed to get the teenage version, Tdap - it has a lower level of ingredients and is less reactive. I would say, though, that for this age tetanus is really the main one that would be useful. BUT, there would be nothing wrong with getting ONE dose of Tdap to get the pertussis protection, then doing two more plain tetanus vaccines after that. Yes, the pertussis part is a bit more reactive, but ususally not a problem at this age.