What It Is
Who Should Get the Tdap Vaccine?
Who Should Not Get the Vaccine?
Health Concerns

Tdap (Tetanus, Diphtheria, Pertussis) vaccine can protect adolescents and adults against three serious diseases. Tetanus, diphtheria, and pertussis are all caused by bacteria. Diphtheria and pertussis are spread from person to person. Tetanus enters the body through cuts, scratches, or wounds.

TETANUS (Lockjaw) causes painful tightening of the muscles, usually all over the body. It can lead to “locking” of the jaw so the victim cannot open his mouth or swallow. Tetanus leads to death in up to 2 cases out of 10.

DIPHTHERIA causes a thick covering in the back of the throat. It can lead to breathing problems, paralysis, heart failure, and even death.

PERTUSSIS (Whooping Cough) causes severe coughing spells, vomiting, and disturbed sleep. It can lead to weight loss, incontinence, rib fractures and passing out from violent coughing, pneumonia, and hospitalization due to complications.

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• Adolescents 11 through 18 years of age should get one booster dose of Tdap. A dose of Tdap is recommended for adolescents who got DTaP or DTP as children but have not yet gotten a dose of Td. The preferred age is 11-12.
• Adolescents who have already gotten a booster dose of Td are encouraged to get a dose of Tdap as well, for protection against pertussis. Waiting at least 5 years between Td and Tdap is encouraged, but not required.
• Adolescents who did not get all their scheduled doses of DTaP or DTP as children should complete the series using a combination of Td and Tdap.
• Adults 19 through 64 years of age should substitute Tdap for one booster dose of Td. Td should be used for later booster doses.
• Adults who expect to have close contact with an infant younger than 12 months of age should get a dose of Tdap.Waiting at least 2 years since the last dose of Td is suggested, but not required.
• Healthcare workers who have direct patient contact in hospitals or clinics should get a dose of Tdap. A 2-year interval since the last Td is suggested, but not required.
• An adolescent or adult who gets a severe cut or burn might need protection against tetanus infection. Tdap may be used if the person has not had a previous dose.
  
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• Anyone who has had a life-threatening allergic reaction after a dose of DTP, DTaP, DT, or Td vaccine should not get Tdap.
• Anyone who has a severe allergy to any component of the vaccine should not get Tdap. Tell your health care provider if the person getting the vaccine has any known severe allergies.
• Some Tdap vaccines should not be given to people with a severe latex allergy.
• Anyone who went into a coma or had a long seizure within 7 days after a dose of DTP or DTaP should not get Tdap, unless a cause other than the vaccine was found.
• Talk to your doctor if the person getting the vaccine:
  • has epilepsy or another nervous system problem,
  • had severe swelling or severe pain after a previous dose of any vaccine containing tetanus, diphtheria or pertussis,
  • has had Guillain Barré Syndrome (GBS).
• Anyone who has a moderate or severe illness on the day the shot is scheduled should usually wait until they recover before getting the vaccine. Those with a mild illness or low fever can usually be vaccinated.

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A vaccine, like any medicine, could possibly cause serious problems, such as severe allergic reactions. However, the risk of a vaccine causing serious harm, or death, is extremely small.

Mild Problems

• Pain (about 3 in 4 adolescents and 2 in 3 adults)
• Redness or swelling (about 1 in 5)
• Mild fever of at least 100.4°F (up to about 1 in 25 adolescents and 1 in 100 adults)
• Headache (about 4 in 10 adolescents and 3 in 10 adults)
• Tiredness (about 1 in 3 adolescents and 1 in 4 adults)
• Nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, stomach ache (up to 1 in 4 adolescents and 1 in 10 adults)
• Other mild problems reported include chills, body aches, sore joints, rash, and swollen lymph glands.

Moderate Problems

• Pain at the injection site (about 1 in 20 adolescents and 1 in 100 adults)
• Redness or swelling (up to about 1 in 16 adolescents and 1 in 25 adults)
• Fever over 102°F (about 1 in 100 adolescents and 1 in 250 adults)
• Nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, stomach ache (up to 3 in 100 adolescents and 1 in 100 adults)
• Headache (1 in 300)

Severe Problems

• None were seen among adolescents.
• In the adult clinical trial, two adults had nervous system problems after getting the vaccine. These may or may not have been caused by the vaccine. They went away on their own and did not cause any permanent harm.
• A severe allergic reaction could occur after any vaccine.They are estimated to occur less than once in a million doses.
• A person who gets these diseases is much more likely to have severe complications than a person who gets Tdap vaccine.

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