Diphtheria is a disease caused by infection with the bacteria Corynebacterium diphtheria. The bacteria attack the throat and upper respiratory system, which produces toxins and can affect surrounding organs. This disease will cause the tissue membrane to die and accumulate in the throat and tonsils, making it difficult for sufferers to breathe and swallow.
In addition, the nervous system and heart can be disrupted due to bacterial infection. Transmission itself can occur through physical contact, coughing, or sneezing of an infected person. So, can the diphtheria vaccine be given to adults? If so, how many doses are needed?
Diphtheria Vaccine Procedure for Adults
Who said adults no longer need to be vaccinated? In fact, the diphtheria vaccine also needs to be given to adults. However, the type of vaccine given is different from the diphtheria vaccine for children. The type of diphtheria vaccine for adults is Td or Tdap, which is a DTP vaccine with reduced antigen and pertussis.
This type of vaccine contains acellular pertussis components, which are inactivated pertussis bacteria, so it rarely causes fever side effects like the diphtheria vaccine for children. The diphtheria vaccine for adults can be given several times periodically from the age of 19–64 years, every 10 years for a lifetime.
However, for adults who have never received the Td vaccine before, or whose immunization status is incomplete, it is necessary to be given 1 dose of Tdap and Td vaccine every 10 years, as a booster. Meanwhile, for adults who have not received any immunization in their entire life, the first 2 doses must be given with a gap of 4 weeks. Then, the third dose needs to be given about 6–12 months from the second dose.
Unfortunately, in Indonesia there is still no diphtheria immunization program for adults, so many adults may not have received this type of vaccine. This seems to be because diphtheria is a disease that is more common in children. However, this does not mean that adults are guaranteed to be free from diphtheria.
Groups of Adults Who Need Diphtheria Vaccine
Diphtheria is an infectious disease that can cause respiratory problems, paralysis, and heart failure. This disease can spread through the air when the sufferer coughs or sneezes. For both children and adults, giving the diphtheria vaccine is a preventive measure that functions to trigger the emergence of immunity against the bacteria that cause diphtheria.
The following are the groups of adults most recommended to receive the diphtheria vaccine:
- People who have never received the Tdap vaccination.
- People who forget whether they have been vaccinated or not.
- Health workers who have direct contact with patients.
- People who care for babies under 1 year of age, including parents, grandparents, and babysitters.
- People who travel to areas where diphtheria is widespread.
- People who live in the same house, or neighbors, have/will visit someone with diphtheria.
- Prospective mothers who have never been vaccinated.
- Pregnant women (Tdap booster is recommended for each pregnancy ).
