New research has the answer.
The science:
Adults are typically told to get Tdap booster shots (for diphtheria, tetanus, and whooping cough) every 10 years.
A new study, however, found no difference in incidence rates across 31 countries, regardless of whether the shots were recommended or not.
Expert insight:
As long as you get a Tdap vaccination as a kid, you should be protected for life, says study author Mark Slifka, Ph.D., professor at Oregon Health & Science University in Portland. This is in line with the World Health Organization's stance on booster shots, though it has yet to be adopted in the United States.
There are a couple exceptions: Every woman should get a booster shot during every pregnancy, Slifka says. Doing so protects the infant from becoming infected when they’re too young to be vaccinated. If you’re traveling to a country with a diphtheria outbreak, ask your doctor if a booster is recommended.
The bottom line:
Even though the new research finds little need for booster shots, it absolutely advocates for childhood Tdap vaccinations, Slifka notes.