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Overview: The tetanus, diphtheria, and whooping cough (Tdap) vaccine is used to prevent tetanus, diphtheria, and pertussis. It is also recommended during the third trimester of pregnancy to protect newborns from pertussis. The Tdap vaccine works by triggering the body’s immune response to make a type of protein (antibodies) against the bacteria that cause diphtheria, tetanus, and pertussis. When given during the third trimester of pregnancy, these antibodies pass through the placenta to help protect the newborn from pertussis. Common side effects include pain, swelling, or redness near the injection site, headache, body ache, tiredness, and fever.

Uses

What is the Tdap vaccine used for?

The tetanus, diphtheria, and whooping cough (Tdap) vaccine is commonly used to prevent tetanus, diphtheria, and pertussis. It is also recommended during the third trimester of pregnancy to protect newborns from pertussis.

  • Tetanus (T) is a serious bacterial infection caused by the tetanus toxin, which affects the nervous system. It can cause painful muscle tightening, known as “lockjaw,” which prevents you from opening your mouth, and can make breathing or swallowing difficult. Tetanus can be transmitted through cuts, wounds, burns, or less commonly, through animal or insect bites.
  • Diphtheria (d) is a contagious serious, bacterial infection. It can cause breathing and swallowing problems, heart failure, paralysis, or death.
  • Pertussis (ap), also known as whooping cough, is a contagious bacterial infection that affects the respiratory tract. It causes severe and uncontrollable coughing, often ending in a “whooping” sound. Pertussis can be very serious. In babies and small children, it can lead to pneumonia, seizures, brain damage, or death. In teenagers and adults, it can cause bladder problems, fainting, and rib fractures from severe coughing.

See also: DTaP Vaccine and Td Vaccine

How does the Tdap vaccine work (mechanism of action)?

The Tdap vaccine works by triggering the body’s immune response to make a type of protein (antibodies) against the bacteria that cause tetanus, diphtheria, and pertussis. If you have antibodies against these bacteria, your body is better able to fight them, which may help prevent you from getting sick. When given during the third trimester of pregnancy, these antibodies pass through the placenta to help protect the newborn from pertussis for the first few months of life.

How should I store the Tdap vaccine?

The Tdap vaccine is usually given by a health care provider in a hospital or clinic. You will not store it at home.

Side Effects

What are the most common side effects of the Tdap vaccine?

The most common side effects of Tdap vaccine are listed below. Tell your health care provider if you have any of these side effects that bother you.

  • Pain, swelling, or redness near the injection site
  • Headache
  • Body ache
  • Tiredness
  • Fever

There may be other side effects of the Tdap vaccine that are not listed here. Contact your health care provider if you think you are having a side effect of a medicine. In the U.S., you can report side effects to the FDA at www.fda.gov/medwatch or by calling 800-FDA-1088. In Canada, you can report side effects to Health Canada at www.health.gc.ca/medeffect or by calling 866-234-2345.

What are the serious side effects of the Tdap vaccine?

While less common, the most serious side effects of Tdap vaccine are described below, along with what to do if they happen.

Severe Allergic Reactions. The Tdap vaccine may cause allergic reactions, which can be serious. Get emergency help right away if you have any of the following symptoms of a serious allergic reaction.

  • Breathing problems or wheezing
  • Racing heart
  • Fever or general ill feeling
  • Swollen lymph nodes
  • Swelling of the face, lips, mouth, tongue, or throat
  • Trouble swallowing or throat tightness
  • Itching, skin rash, or pale red bumps on the skin called hives
  • Nausea or vomiting
  • Dizziness, feeling lightheaded, or fainting
  • Stomach cramps
  • Joint pain

Warnings & Precautions

Who should not use the Tdap vaccine?

Allergies to Ingredients. People who are allergic to any of the following should not receive the Tdap vaccine.

  • Adacel
  • Boostrix
  • Tdap
  • Tetanus/diphtheria/acellular pertussis vaccine
  • Any of the ingredients in the specific vaccine product

Your health care provider can tell you all of the ingredients in the specific Tdap vaccine products they stock.

Encephalopathy From Prior Vaccine. If you have had encephalopathy within 7 days of a prior dose of a vaccine that contains pertussis, you should not receive the Tdap vaccine.

What should I know about the Tdap vaccine before using it?

The Tdap vaccine is usually given by a health care provider in a hospital or clinic.

The risk of dizziness or fainting, which may lead to a fall, is the highest within a few minutes after receiving the Tdap vaccine. Your health care provider may want to watch you for this time to ensure your safety.

What should I tell my health care provider before using the Tdap vaccine?

Tell your health care provider about all of your health conditions and any prescription or over-the-counter (OTC) medicines, vitamins/minerals, herbal products, and other supplements you are using. This will help them determine if the Tdap vaccine is right for you.

In particular, make sure that you discuss any of the following.

Current and Past Health Conditions. Tell your health care provider if you have any of the following.

  • Fever or recent illness, including diphtheria or pertussis
  • A reaction to a previous vaccine, including fainting, Guillain-Barré Syndrome, or Parsonage-Turner syndrome
  • Seizures or other nervous system condition
  • A weak immune system, get infections easily, or take medicines or treatments that suppress the immune system (such as radiation or chemotherapy)

Other Medicines and Supplements. The Tdap vaccine may interact with other medicines and supplements. Before receiving the Tdap vaccine, tell your health care provider about any prescription or over-the-counter (OTC) medicines, vitamins/minerals, herbal products, and other supplements you are using. See the Interactions section for more details.

Pregnancy. Tdap is recommended in the third trimester of pregnancy, to help protect the newborn from pertussis in the first few months of life. Tell your health care provider if you are or plan to become pregnant. If you receive a Tdap vaccine during pregnancy, you can sign up for a pregnancy registry. These registries collect safety information about the use of Tdap vaccine during pregnancy.

  • To enroll in the Adacel Pregnancy Registry, call 800-822-2463 or visit www.sanofipasteurpregnancyregistry.com.
  • To enroll in the Boostrix Pregnancy Registry, call 888-452-9622 or visit www.pregnancyregistry.gsk.com/boostrix.html.

Breastfeeding. It is not known if the Tdap vaccine passes into breast milk. Tell your health care provider if you are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed. Your health care provider will advise you if you should receive the Tdap vaccine while breastfeeding.

Interactions

Does the Tdap vaccine interact with foods or drinks?

There are no known interactions between the Tdap vaccine and foods or drinks.

It is unknown if drinking alcohol will affect the Tdap vaccine.

Does the Tdap vaccine interact with other medicines (drug interactions)?

Always tell your health care provider about all recent and upcoming vaccines, any prescription or over-the-counter (OTC) medicines, vitamins/minerals, herbal products, and other supplements you are using. In particular, make sure that you discuss if you are taking any medicines or treatments that suppress your immune system such as radiation, chemotherapy, or a corticosteroid, which is a medicine for certain inflammatory conditions.

This may not be a complete list of medicines that can interact with the Tdap vaccine. Always check with your health care provider.

Does interact with other drugs you are taking?

Enter your medication into the WebMD interaction checker

Overdose/Missed Dose

What should I do if I accidentally use too much Tdap vaccine?

If you or someone else has used too much Tdap vaccine, get medical help right away, call 911, or contact a Poison Control center at 800-222-1222.

What should I do if I miss a dose of Tdap vaccine?

If you miss an appointment for the Tdap vaccine, call to make another appointment as soon as possible.