Tdap (
Adacel®,
Boostrix®) is a "booster" vaccine used to help prevent tetanus, diphtheria, and pertussis (
whooping cough) in adults and children as young as 10 years old. After getting the Tdap vaccine, all future boosters should be given as just the Td (tetanus and diphtheria) vaccine.
Tdap is given as a single, one-time injection into the deltoid muscle of the upper arm (where most immunizations are given). In general, Tdap should be given only if at least five years have passed since the last
DTaP or Td vaccine was given. If you are moderately to severely ill, it is probably a good idea to postpone immunization with Tdap until you are feeling better.
It is important that you talk with your healthcare provider before getting immunized with Tdap if you have:
- An immune-suppressing condition such as HIV or AIDS, diabetes, or cancer
- Had any sort of a reaction to any vaccine in the past
- Epilepsy or any other nervous system disorder
- If you are moderately to severely ill
- An illness or infection (such as the flu)
- Guillain-Barré syndrome
- Had a recent stroke
- Any allergies, including allergies to foods, dyes, or preservatives.
(Click Tdap for more information on how Tdap immunization works, to find out what else you should discuss with your healthcare provider before getting vaccinated, and to learn about potential side effects.)
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