Tenivac
The Td vaccine protects you from tetanus and diphtheria. Td is shorthand for this vaccine. It's a routine vaccine for adults and children age 7 years or older. A 3-dose schedule is recommended for those who haven't previously received or completed vaccination against tetanus or diphtheria with another vaccine. The CDC recommends a booster dose, with either the Td vaccine or the Boostrix, Adacel (Tdap vaccine), every 10 years after at least 1 dose of the Tdap vaccine. Common side effects include pain and redness at the injection site, muscle weakness, and headache.
What is The Td vaccine?
What is The Td vaccine used for?
Prevention of:
Tetanus
Diphtheria
How The Td vaccine works
The Td vaccine is an inactivated vaccine that protects you from two types of bacteria that cause different conditions: Clostridium tetani (tetanus) and Corynebacterium diphtheriae (diphtheria). It helps your body's immune system make antibodies that will attack these bacteria if they ever infect you.
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What are the side effects of The Td vaccine?
Common Side Effects
- Pain at injection site (35-80%)
- Muscle weakness (5-32%)
- Redness at injection site (15-26%)
- Headache (12-25%)
- Swelling at injection site (12-17%)
- Feeling unwell (9-17%)
- Pain in joints (9-16%)
Other Side Effects
- Fever
- Dizziness
- Muscle pain
- Nausea or vomiting
- Rash
Serious Side Effects
- Serious allergic reaction: rash, itching, nausea, dizziness, shortness of breath, chest pain, swelling of lips, tongue, or face
Source: DailyMed
The following side effects have also been reported
Side effects that you should report to your care team as soon as possible:
- Allergic reactions—skin rash, itching, hives, swelling of the face, lips, tongue, or throat
- Feeling faint or lightheaded
Side effects that usually do not require medical attention (report these to your care team if they continue or are bothersome):
Pros and cons of The Td vaccine
Pros
Works well to prevent diphtheria and tetanus
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
Doesn't protect against pertussis (whooping cough) like other available tetanus and diphtheria vaccines (e.g., Boostrix, Adacel (Tdap vaccine), Daptacel, Infanrix (DTaP vaccine))
Pharmacist tips for The Td vaccine
Read the vaccine information statement for more information on the Td vaccine.
Wait until you're healthy to get the Td 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 Td 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.
Most people who receive the Td 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 Td vaccine, to make sure you're receiving all your vaccines on schedule.
If you experience a severe reaction to the Td vaccine, you or your provider can report it to the vaccine adverse event reporting system (VAERS) website or by calling 1-800-822-7967.
Frequently asked questions about The Td vaccine
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What are the risks and warnings for The Td vaccine?
The Td 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 Tenivac 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 Td vaccine. The risk is higher if you're allergic to latex and receive Tenivac, since the tip caps of the prefilled syringes might contain 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 (e.g., 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 Td vaccine.
Lower response to the Td vaccine in people with weakened immune systems
Risk factors: Medical conditions or taking medications that weaken the immune system
The Td vaccine might not work as well in people with a weakened immune system. This can raise your risk of getting diphtheria and tetanus even after receiving the vaccine. If you or your child has any medical conditions (e.g., HIV (human immunodeficiency virus), cancer) or are taking medications that weaken the immune system (e.g., high-dose corticosteroids, transplant medications), talk to your provider before getting the Td vaccine.
Guillain-Barre syndrome (GBS) and nerve problems
Risk factors: GBS within 6 weeks of receiving any tetanus vaccine
Although very rare, some people have reported getting Guillain-Barre syndrome (GBS) or nerve problems after they've received tetanus toxoid-containing vaccines like the Td vaccine. GBS is a rare condition that causes muscle weakness and paralysis. Let your provider know right away if you or your child has experienced these symptoms, especially if they occurred within 6 weeks of receiving a tetanus toxoid-containing vaccine.
The Td vaccine dosage forms
Typical dosing for The Td vaccine
The Td vaccine is given as an injection into the shoulder muscle by a healthcare provider in adults and children 7 years and older. There are two Td vaccines available: Tenivac and TdVax.
Primary series: This series is only for people who haven't previously received or completed a primary series against tetanus or diphtheria with another vaccine.
Tenivac: This vaccine is given as a 3-dose series with 1 injection given at 0 months, 2 months, and 6 to 8 months after the second dose.
TdVax: This vaccine is given as a 3-dose series with 1 injection given at 0 months, 1 to 2 months, and 6 to 12 months after the second dose.
Booster dose: The typical booster dose is 1 injection every 10 years in adults and children aged 11 or older for continued protection. See FAQs for more details about booster doses.
Prevention of diphtheria after exposure: The typical dose is 1 injection in those who haven't completed primary vaccination against diphtheria, whose vaccination status is unknown, or who haven't received a diphtheria toxoid-containing vaccine within the last 5 years.
Prevention of tetanus after getting a wound: The typical dose is 1 injection. The need for a dose of the Td vaccine, with or without tetanus immune globulin, depends on the the condition of the wound and your vaccination history. Your provider will determine if you need a dose of the Td vaccine.
How much does The Td vaccine cost?
The Td vaccine contraindications
Allergy to any diphtheria or tetanus toxoid-containing vaccine (including DT, Td, DTaP, and Tdap)
The Td vaccine images
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References
Best studies we foundCenters for Disease Control and Prevention. (2020). Vaccines for Children (VFC) program information for awardees.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2021). Td (tetanus, diphtheria) VIS.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2022). Administering diphtheria, tetanus, and pertussis vaccines.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2022). Diphtheria, tetanus, and whooping cough vaccination: What everyone should know.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2022). Diphtheria.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2022). Tetanus.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2022). Vaccinating pregnant patients.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2023). About the Vaccines for Children program (VFC).
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2023). Adult immunization schedule by age.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2023). Diphtheria, tetanus, and pertussis vaccine recommendations.
Grifols USA, LLC. (2020). Hypertet- tetanus immune globulin (human) injection [package insert]. DailyMed.
MassBiologics. (2021). Tdvax- tetanus and diphtheria toxoids adsorbed injection [package insert]. DailyMed.
Peng, B., et al. (2019). The vaccines-associated Arthus reaction. Human Vaccines & Immunotherapeutics.
Sanofi Pasteur Inc. (2023). Tenivac (clostridium tetani toxoid antigen (formaldehyde inactivated) and corynebacterium diphtheriae toxoid antigen- formaldehyde inactivated injection, suspension [package insert]. DailyMed.
World Health Organization. (2020). How do vaccines work?
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