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Tdap Vaccination Information
Before you get the Tdap vaccination, safety information should be discussed with your healthcare provider. For example, if you are moderately to severely ill, it is probably a good idea to postpone vaccination with Tdap until you are feeling better. Also, let your healthcare provider know if you have had serious reactions with any vaccines in the past.
Other safety information regarding the Tdap vaccination includes:
- Make sure your healthcare provider knows if you have (or have had) epilepsy, seizures, a stroke, or any other nervous system disorders. In some cases, Tdap may need to be postponed; in other cases, Tdap may not be recommended at all.
- If you have had severe swelling or pain with any previous vaccine that contained tetanus toxoid, you should not receive Tdap unless at least 10 years have passed since your last vaccination with tetanus toxoid.
- Make sure to tell your healthcare provider if you are allergic to latex, as part of the Boostrix vial contains latex. The Adacel vial does not contain latex.
- If you have an immune-suppressing condition, Tdap may not be as effective as usual for producing immunity to diphtheria, tetanus, or pertussis.
(Click Tdap for more information on the vaccination, including details on how Tdap works, suggestions on when to get vaccinated, and a list of potential side effects.)
Written by/reviewed by: Arthur Schoenstadt, MD
Last reviewed by: Arthur Schoenstadt, MD