tetanus, diphtheria, acellular pertussis vac... Health Article

Generic name(s):

tetanus, diphtheria, acellular pertussis vaccine (Tdap)

Brand name(s):

tetanus/diphtheria/pertussis, acel (Tdap), Adacel (Tdap), Boostrix (Tdap)

What is the most important information I should know about this vaccine?

In most cases, tetanus, diphtheria, acellular pertussis vaccine is given in only one dose. Follow your doctor's instructions about receiving a booster dose if needed.

You can still receive a vaccine if you have a cold or fever. In the case of a more severe illness with a fever or any type of infection, wait until you get better before receiving this vaccine.

You should not receive this vaccine a second time if you had a life-threatening allergic reaction after the first shot.

Keep track of any and all side effects you have after receiving this vaccine. If you ever need to receive the vaccine again, you will need to tell your doctor if the first shot caused any side effects.

Becoming infected with diphtheria, pertussis, or tetanus is much more dangerous to your health than receiving the vaccine to protect against these diseases. Like any medicine, this vaccine can cause side effects, but the risk of serious side effects is extremely low.

What is diphtheria, pertussis acellular, and tetanus vaccine?

Diphtheria, tetanus, and pertussis are serious diseases caused by bacteria.

Diphtheria causes a thick coating in the nose, throat, and airway. It can lead to breathing problems, paralysis, heart failure, or death.

Pertussis (whooping cough) causes coughing so severe that it interferes with eating, drinking, or breathing. These spells can last for weeks and can lead to pneumonia, seizures (convulsions), brain damage, and death.

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 the mouth or swallow. Tetanus leads to death in about 1 out of 10 cases.

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

The diphtheria, tetanus acellular, and pertussis adult vaccine (also called Tdap) is used to help prevent these diseases in people who are ages 11 to 64 years old. Most people in this age group require only one Tdap shot for protection against these diseases.

This vaccine works by exposing you to a small dose of the bacteria or a protein from the bacteria, which causes the body to develop immunity to the disease. This vaccine will not treat an active infection that has already developed in the body.

Like any vaccine, the Tdap vaccine may not provide protection from disease in every person.

What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before receiving this vaccine?

You should not receive this vaccine if you have ever had a life-threatening allergic reaction to any vaccine containing diphtheria, pertussis, or tetanus, or if you have:

• severe or uncontrolled epilepsy or other seizure disorder; or

• if you have received cancer chemotherapy or radiation treatment in the past 3 months.

You may not be able to receive this vaccine if you have ever received a similar vaccine that caused any of the following:

• a very high fever (over 104 degrees);

• a neurologic disorder or disease affecting the brain;

• fainting or going into shock;

• seizure (convulsions); or

• Guillain-Barré syndrome (within 6 weeks after receiving a vaccine containing tetanus).

Before receiving this vaccine, tell the doctor if you have:

• a bleeding or blood clotting disorder such as hemophilia or easy bruising;

• a history of seizures;

• a neurologic disorder or disease affecting the brain (or if this was a reaction to a previous vaccine);

• a weak immune system caused by disease, bone marrow transplant, or by using certain medicines or receiving cancer treatments;

• if you are taking a blood thinner such as warfarin (Coumadin); or

• if it has been less than 5 years since you last received a tetanus shot.

You can still receive a vaccine if you have a cold or fever. In the case of a more severe illness with a fever or any type of infection, wait until you get better before receiving this vaccine.

FDA pregnancy category C. This vaccine may be harmful to an unborn baby. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant soon after receiving the vaccine. It is not known whether Tdap vaccine passes into breast milk or if it could harm a nursing baby. Do not use this medication without telling your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.

The adult version of this vaccine (Adacel, Boostrix) should not be given to anyone under the age of 11 or over the age of 64. Another vaccine is available for use in children younger than 11 years old.