Boostrix
The Tdap vaccine protects you from tetanus, diphtheria, and pertussis (also known as whooping cough). Tdap is shorthand for this vaccine. It's given as an injection into the muscle and is a routine vaccine for all children. It's also recommended every 10 years in adults for continued protection, as well as during every pregnancy to protect the newborn baby.
What is The Tdap vaccine?
What is The Tdap vaccine used for?
Prevention of:
- Tetanus
- Diphtheria
- Pertussis (whooping cough)
How The Tdap vaccine works
The Tdap vaccine is an inactivated vaccine that protects you from three bacteria that cause different conditions: Clostridium tetani (tetanus), Corynebacterium diphtheriae (diphtheria), and Bordatella pertussis (pertussis or whooping cough). The Tdap vaccine helps your body's immune system make antibodies that will attack these bacteria if they ever infect you.
Drug facts
Side effects of The Tdap vaccine
The following side effects may get better over time as your body gets used to the medication. Let your healthcare provider know immediately if you continue to experience these symptoms or if they worsen over time.
Common Side Effects
Adacel
- Pain at injection site (66-78%)
- Headache (34-44%)
- Tiredness (24-30%)
- Body ache or muscle weakness (22-30%)
- Redness at injection site (21-25%)
- Swelling at injection site (21%)
- Chills (8-15%)
- Sore or swollen joints (9-11%)
- Nausea (10-13%)
- Diarrhea (10%)
Boostrix
- Pain at injection site (up to 75%)
- Headache (up to 43%)
- Fatigue (up to 37%)
- Nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, or stomach pain (up to 26%)
- Redness at injection site (up to 23%)
- Swelling at injection site (up to 21%)
- Fever (up to 14%)
Less Common Side Effects
Adacel
- Swollen lymph nodes
- Vomiting
- Rash
The Tdap vaccine serious side effects
Contact your healthcare provider immediately if you experience any of the following.
- Serious allergic reactions: hives, rash, shaking, itching, nausea, flushing, dizziness, shortness of breath, chest pain
The following The Tdap vaccine side effects have also been reported
Along with its needed effects, a medicine may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.
Check with your doctor or nurse immediately if any of the following side effects occur:
Less common
Collapse or shock-like state
crying for 3 hours or more
fever over 102.2 °F
redness or swelling of 4 inches or more at the injection site
seizures (convulsions)
severe pain at the injection site
Incidence not known
Agitation
back pain
black, tarry stools
bleeding gums
bleeding, blistering, burning, coldness, discoloration of the skin, feeling of pressure, hives, infection, inflammation, itching, lumps, numbness, pain, rash, redness, scarring, soreness, stinging, swelling, tenderness, tingling, ulceration, or warmth at the injection site
blood in the urine or stools
bloody nose
bluish color of the fingernails, lips, skin, palms, or nail beds
blurred vision
confusion
difficulty with swallowing
dizziness
drowsiness
fast heartbeat
hallucinations
headache
hoarseness
irritability
irritation
joint pain, stiffness, or swelling
loss of bladder control
loss of consciousness
loss of strength or energy
muscle pain or weakness
pain or cramping in the abdomen or stomach
pinpoint red spots on the skin
puffiness or swelling of the eyelids or around the eyes, face, lips, or tongue
rash with flat lesions or small raised lesions on the skin
screaming
shortness of breath
sleepiness or unusual drowsiness
stiff neck
swollen, painful, or tender lymph glands in the neck, armpit, or groin
tightness in the chest
total body jerking
unusual bleeding or bruising
unusual tiredness or weakness (sudden and severe)
Some side effects may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. Also, your health care professional may be able to tell you about ways to prevent or reduce some of these side effects. Check with your health care professional if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome or if you have any questions about them:
Other side effects not listed may also occur in some patients. If you notice any other effects, check with your healthcare professional.
Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
Get your GoodRx coupon
Pros and cons of The Tdap vaccine
Pros
- Works well to prevent tetanus, diphtheria, and whooping cough
- Can be given with other vaccines
- Readily available and easy to find
Cons
- Given as an injection into the muscle
- Must be given by a healthcare provider at an office, clinic, or pharmacy
- Boostrix contains latex, which can be a problem for people with latex allergies.
Pharmacist tips for The Tdap vaccine
- Read the vaccine information statement for more information on the Tdap vaccine.
- If you have a brain condition, talk to your provider before receiving the Tdap vaccine to make sure it's right for you. They might hold off on giving you the vaccine, because there can be confusion between the side effects of the Tdap vaccine and the signs or symptoms of your brain condition.
- Most people who receive the Tdap vaccine don't have any serious side effects. Side effects are generally mild and should go away on their own in a few days.
- Make sure to keep a record of all your immunizations and show it to your provider or pharmacist before receiving any vaccine, including the Tdap vaccine, to make sure you're receiving all your vaccines on schedule.
- Wait until you're healthy to get the Tdap vaccine. This will help make sure your immune system protects you as best as it can. If you have a mild sickness, such as a cold or low-grade fever, you can still get the Tdap vaccine. But if you feel moderately to severely sick, wait until you recover before getting this vaccine. Ask your provider if you're not sure whether you can get this vaccine.
- If you experience a severe reaction to the Tdap vaccine, you or your provider can report it to the vaccine adverse event reporting system (VAERS) website or by calling 1-800-822-7967.
Common questions about The Tdap vaccine
The Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) of the CDC makes recommendations on how to use vaccines in the United States. Providers in the United States typically follow the ACIP's recommendations as standard of care for vaccinations. The CDC's ACIP recommends routine vaccination with the Tdap vaccine for all children aged 11 to 12 years. All adults who haven't received a dose of this vaccine before should receive the Tdap vaccine. All adults should also receive a booster dose every 10 years for continued protection. In addition, pregnant women should receive a dose during the third trimester of each pregnancy. This helps protect your newborn baby from getting the whooping cough in the first few months of life when they're at highest risk. Refer to the complete immunization schedule for the Tdap vaccine in children and adults for catch-up vaccinations and in those with special medical situations. Ask your provider or pharmacist if you aren't sure if you or your child needs the Tdap vaccine.
The Tdap vaccine lowers your risk for getting tetanus, diphtheria, and pertussis (whooping cough), which can all be life-threatening. Tetanus, or "lockjaw," causes painful muscle contractions in your jaw muscles, which can make it hard to breathe. Diphtheria is an infection that causes trouble breathing, heart failure, and even death. Pertussis, or whooping cough, is a very contagious infection that causes violent coughing, which makes breathing difficult. While there are antibiotics available to treat these conditions, you should still get the Tdap vaccine to prevent getting sick because of the risk for severe complications, including death.
The Tdap vaccine is given as an injection by a healthcare provider. It's not a vaccine you can pick up at the pharmacy, bring home, and give to yourself. You can receive the Tdap vaccine at your provider's office or local pharmacy, but it's also likely available at certain community sites (e.g., health clinics, schools, workplaces). Eligible children can receive the Tdap vaccine at certain facilities that are enrolled in the Vaccines For Children Program at no cost.
Adacel and Boostrix both work well to protect against tetanus, diphtheria, and pertussis (whooping cough). Adacel is used for people aged 10 to 64 years old, while Boostrix is for people age 10 years and older. In addition, the tip cap of the Boostrix vaccine syringes contains latex, whereas that of Adacel doesn't, so Adacel might be a better option for those with latex allergies. The two brands are also made a little bit differently from each other.
There are many different vaccines available in the United States that help protect against tetanus, diphtheria, or pertussis (whooping cough). In general, upper-case letters in the abbreviations mean full-strength doses of each part of the vaccine, whereas lower-case letters mean lower-strength doses. The Tdap and DTaP vaccines protect against all three infections (diphtheria, tetanus, and pertussis). On the other hand, the DT and Td vaccines only protect against tetanus and diphtheria. The DTaP and DT vaccines are for babies and young children who need full-strength doses to build up protection, whereas the Tdap and Td vaccines are recommended for older children and adults.
How to save using GoodRx
Risks and warnings for The Tdap vaccine
The Tdap vaccine can cause some serious health issues. This risk may be even higher for certain groups. If this worries you, talk to your doctor or pharmacist about other options.
Severe allergic reactions
- Risk factors: Latex allergy (for Boostrix only) | Allergic reaction to other vaccines
As with any vaccine, there's a rare chance that you might have a severe allergic reaction to the Tdap vaccine. If you're planning to receive Boostrix, your risk is higher if you're allergic to latex, because it contains natural rubber latex. Your provider might ask you to stay at the pharmacy or clinic for a short period of time after you've received your vaccine to make sure you can get proper care in case of a serious allergic reaction. Sometimes, these reactions can happen after you've already left the clinic. Get medical help right away if you notice symptoms of a severe allergic reaction, such as feeling faint, swelling of the face, closing of the throat, difficulty breathing, hives or rash, dizziness, shaking, nausea, or chest pain.
Additionally, if you've had a rare allergic reaction called an Arthus reaction (pain, swelling, hardening of skin at injection site) to any kind of tetanus vaccine in the past, you should wait at least 10 years to get your next dose of the Tdap vaccine.
Guillain-Barre syndrome and other nerve problems
- Risk factors: Guillain-Barre syndrome within 6 weeks of receiving any tetanus vaccine | Age 50 years and older
Although very rare, some people have reported getting Guillain-Barre syndrome (GBS) and other similar nerve problems after they've received the Tdap vaccine. This nerve damage can lead to pain, muscle weakness, and even paralysis. Let your provider know right away if you experience these symptoms or if you've had GBS within 6 weeks of receiving the Tdap vaccine.
Lower response to the Tdap vaccine in people with weakened immune systems
- Risk factors: Medical conditions that weaken the immune system | Taking medications that lower your immune system
The Tdap vaccine might not work as well in people with a weakened immune system. This can put you at higher risk of tetanus, diphtheria, and whooping cough, even after you've received the vaccine. If you have any medical conditions (e.g., HIV (human immunodeficiency virus), cancer) or take medications that weaken your immune system (e.g., high-dose corticosteroids, transplant medications), don't get the Tdap vaccine until you've talked with your provider first.
Fainting
- Risk factors: Fainting after receiving vaccines in the past
Fainting can happen after receiving injectable vaccines, such as the Tdap vaccine. Signs of fainting include changes in vision, burning sensation, and stiffening or twitching of your arms and legs. Let your provider know if you've fainted after receiving any vaccine in the past so they can monitor you.
The Tdap vaccine dosage
Typical dosage for The Tdap vaccine
The typical dose is 1 injection given into the shoulder muscle by a healthcare provider. There are two Tdap vaccines available: Adacel and Boostrix.
Routine vaccination:
- The Tdap vaccine is given at least 5 years after the last dose of the DTaP vaccine or the Td vaccine.
- If your provider says you need a second dose of the Tdap vaccine, you should get it at least 8 years (for Adacel) or 9 years (for Boostrix) after your first dose.
- Note: The CDC includes specific recommendations for routine vaccination. Please see FAQs for more details.
Prevention of tetanus after getting a wound:
- The Tdap vaccine is given at least 5 years after receiving another tetanus toxoid-containing vaccine.
Interactions between The Tdap vaccine and other drugs
Although certain medicines should not be used together at all, in other cases two different medicines may be used together even if an interaction might occur. In these cases, your doctor may want to change the dose, or other precautions may be necessary. Tell your healthcare professional if you are taking any other prescription or nonprescription (over-the-counter [OTC]) medicine.
How much does The Tdap vaccine cost?
$48.99
The Tdap vaccine contraindications
Contraindications are specific health conditions or situations in which a person should not take a medication due to safety concerns. If you have any of the following conditions or if any of the following apply to you, let your healthcare provider know because The Tdap vaccine will not be safe for you to take.
- Allergy to any tetanus, diphtheria, or pertussis-containing vaccine (including DT, Td, and DTaP)
- Coma, having seizures for a long time, or lowered level of consciousness within 7 days of a previous dose of a pertussis-containing vaccine
News about The Tdap vaccine
The Tdap vaccine images
