Tetanus, diphtheria, acellular pertussis vaccine (Tdap)

Tetanus, diphtheria, and pertussis are serious illnesses caused by bacteria.

Tetanus (lockjaw) causes painful muscle tightening that can make the jaw "lock," preventing the person from opening their mouth, swallowing, or breathing. Tetanus can lead to death.

Diphtheria can cause breathing difficulties, paralysis, heart failure, or death.

Pertussis (whooping cough) leads to severe, long-lasting coughing episodes that can affect eating, drinking, or breathing. Pertussis can result in pneumonia, seizures, brain damage, and death.

Diphtheria and pertussis spread from person to person. Tetanus enters the body through a cut or wound.

The tetanus, diphtheria, acellular pertussis vaccine (also known as Tdap) is used to help protect people aged 10 to 64 years from these diseases. Some brands are also approved for people 65 years and older.

This vaccine is also given during the third trimester of pregnancy to help protect babies younger than 2 months old from pertussis (whooping cough).

Like any vaccine, the Tdap vaccine may not protect every person from disease.

Getting infected with tetanus, diphtheria, or pertussis can be much more harmful to your health than getting this vaccine.

You should not get this vaccine if you have ever had a similar vaccine that caused any of the following:

• a severe allergic reaction to a tetanus, diphtheria, pertussis vaccine or any ingredient in the vaccine; or
• decreased consciousness, prolonged seizures, or coma within 7 days after receiving a pertussis vaccine.

Tell the vaccination provider if you have or have ever had:

• seizures;
• a weak immune system due to disease or from certain medicines or cancer treatments;
• a brain or nervous system condition that is worsening or not stable;
• Guillain-Barré syndrome (within 6 weeks after receiving a tetanus vaccine);
• severe pain or swelling after getting a tetanus or diphtheria vaccine; or
• received a tetanus, diphtheria, or pertussis vaccine in the past 5 years.

Tell your vaccination provider if you are pregnant or breastfeeding.

If you are pregnant, your name may be included in a pregnancy registry to monitor the effects of tetanus, diphtheria, acellular pertussis vaccine on the baby.

Get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic reaction: hives, difficult breathing, swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

Becoming infected with diphtheria, pertussis, or tetanus may be much more harmful to your health than getting this vaccine. However, like any medicine, this vaccine can cause side effects, but the chance of serious side effects is very low.

Tetanus, diphtheria, acellular pertussis vaccine may cause serious side effects. Call your doctor right away if you have:

• fainting; or
• nervous system problems—numbness, pain, tingling, weakness, burning or prickly feeling, vision or hearing problems, trouble breathing.

Common side effects of tetanus, diphtheria, acellular pertussis vaccine may include:

• nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and/or abdominal pain;
• pain, redness, or swelling where the shot was given;
• headache or tiredness;
• body aches or muscle weakness; or
• fever.

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may happen. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report vaccine side effects to the US Department of Health and Human Services at 1-800-822-7967.

This vaccine is given as an injection (shot) into a muscle.

This vaccine is given as a booster dose. You may need additional doses depending on your vaccination history and which vaccine you receive. Follow your vaccination provider's schedule.

If you have a wound that could lead to tetanus, you may need a booster dose if it has been at least 5 years since your last tetanus-containing vaccine.

Call your doctor for guidance if you miss your vaccination appointment.

An overdose of this vaccine is unlikely to happen.

Follow your vaccination provider's instructions regarding any limits on food, drinks, or activities.

Before getting this vaccine, inform your vaccination provider about all other vaccines you have had recently.

Also, let the vaccination provider know if you have recently taken drugs or treatments that can weaken your immune system, such as:

• steroid medicine;
• cancer treatments;
• medicine for psoriasis, rheumatoid arthritis, or other autoimmune disorders; or
• medicines for preventing organ transplant rejection.

If you are using any of these medications, you may not be able to get the vaccine, or you may need to wait until your other treatments are complete.

This list is not complete. Other medications may interact with this vaccine, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Not all potential drug interactions are included here.