Tdap vaccination during pregnancy protects the newborn against tetanus, diphtheria, and pertussis.

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Vaccinating a pregnant person with Tdap is about transferring protective antibodies from mother to baby to shield the newborn in the early weeks of life. The Tdap vaccine includes protection against tetanus, diphtheria, and pertussis, and the benefit for newborns is strongest for pertussis, since whooping cough can be severe in infants who are too young to be fully immunized. By giving the vaccine during pregnancy—ideally between 27 and 36 weeks—the mother’s antibodies cross the placenta and provide passive immunity to the baby after birth, protecting them until they can start their own DTaP vaccines at about 2 months old. A dose is recommended in each pregnancy, regardless of prior Tdap status. The other options refer to diseases not covered by Tdap (measles/mumps/rubella; hepatitis B, C, and D; polio and influenza), so they don’t apply to what this vaccine targets.