The vaccine for cough actually refers to vaccines that protect against whooping cough, a specific type of cough caused by the bacteria Bordetella pertussis. There isn't a single vaccine for all coughs, as many are caused by viruses like the common cold or the flu.
Vaccines Protecting Against Whooping Cough
The vaccines that specifically protect against whooping cough (pertussis) are combination vaccines. There are two main types:
| Vaccine | Target Group |
|---|---|
| DTaP | Babies and children younger than 7 years old |
| Tdap | Older children and adults |
These vaccines are not standalone "cough" vaccines; instead, they combine protection against other diseases as well:
- DTaP: This vaccine protects against Diphtheria, Tetanus, and aPertussis (whooping cough). It's the primary vaccine given to young children.
- Tdap: This vaccine also protects against Tetanus, diphtheria (lower dose of diphtheria vaccine compared to DTaP) and aPertussis (whooping cough). It is given to older children, adolescents, and adults.
Key Takeaways
- Cough is a symptom with various causes; most of the time there is not a vaccine for those causes.
- The vaccines DTaP and Tdap specifically protect against whooping cough.
- Whooping cough is a bacterial infection that causes severe coughing fits.
- DTaP is given to babies and young children, while Tdap is used for older individuals.
