Tetanus, Diphtheria and Pertussis (Tdap) (Adacel® and Boostrix®)

Vaccine brands: Adacel^® and Boostrix^®

Adacel is a vaccine that protects against tetanus, diphtheria, and pertussis. It is most commonly given to adolescents and adults.

Tetanus (lockjaw)

Tetanus or lockjaw is a rare and often fatal disease that most often occurs when the tetanus bacteria get into a cut in the skin. Tetanus causes severe cramping of the muscles, particularly in the jaw, neck and abdomen.  Tetanus bacteria are found everywhere including soil, dust and animal manure and can survive for long periods in the soil.

Diphtheria

Diphtheria is serious bacterial disease of the throat, nose, and skin. Infection can cause breathing problems, heart failure, and nerve damage. It is easily spread by coughing and sneezing and direct contact with an infected person. Diphtheria kills up to 10 percent of people who get the disease. Today, diphtheria is rare, due to immunization.

Pertussis (whooping cough)

Pertussis or whooping cough is a serious disease that can infect people of any age, but is most dangerous for babies. Infection can spread easily through coughing and sneezing and direct contact with an infected person. Pertussis may cause violent coughing which can last for weeks. Vomiting, difficulty breathing, seizures and even brain damage may result. Pneumonia is the most common cause of death, typically in infants less than 6 months of age. One to three deaths related to pertussis occur each year in Canada, particularly in infants who are too young to be immunized or unimmunized or partially immunized children. Immunizing family, friends and caregivers helps to protect babies.

Recommendations for use

Tetanus immunization is only available in combination vaccines and there are many brands licensed for use in Canada.  Adolescents and adults can be protected from all these diseases in the vaccine brand called Adacel^® or Boostrix^®. This vaccine is free for:

• children 7 years of age and older who missed their childhood series of diphtheria, tetanus and pertussis vaccination, which may include the Inactivated Polio Vaccine (IPV) in the combination,
• adolescents between 14 and 16 years of age (up to 18 years of age if dose is missed),
• all adults 18 years and older (including those 65 and older). One dose should replace the tetanus/diphtheria vaccine that is recommended for all adults every 10 years, which can be administered regardless of the interval since the last dose of tetanus and diphtheria toxoid-containing vaccine, and
• all pregnant women at or after 26 weeks of pregnancy to protect both themselves and their newborns (recommended during each pregnancy).

Vaccine side effects

Common side effects among adults include pain, redness, and swelling where the needle was given, headaches and low energy level. Severe allergic reactions and neurological reactions are rare. Signs of severe allergy include hives, swelling of the mouth and throat, wheezing, chest tightness, difficulty breathing, difficulty swallowing, hypotension, and shock.

Very rare, is a condition called Guillain-Barré Syndrome, an inflammation of the nerves in the arms and legs that can lead to temporary paralysis after tetanus vaccination.

You should report any side effects or severe vaccine reactions to your health care provider.

People who should not get the vaccine:

• Children under 4 years of age. They should receive DTaP vaccine instead, which contains a different dose for diphtheria and pertussis immunity.
• Individuals who have had a severe allergy, neurological reaction or Guillian Barre within 6 weeks post immunization to a previous dose of a vaccine containing diphtheria, tetanus, and pertussis.
• Individuals who have moderate or severe acute illness with or without fever.

This vaccine is safe for people with medical conditions that impair the body's immune system.

Your record of protection

After you receive an immunization, make sure your health care provider updates your personal immunization record, such as the "Yellow Card". Keep it in a safe place. If your child is 17 years of age or under and receives this vaccine please report this information online or call 613-549-1232 to report this information to KFL&A Public Health. Health care providers do not automatically send immunization information to KFL&A Public Health. It is the responsibility of parents or guardians to provide this information.

KFL&A Public Health's Online Immunization Reporting 

References:

1. Public Health Agency of Canada, Canadian Immunization Guide, Part 4 Active Vaccines. April 2014.
2. Service Ontario, Public Health Division, Fact Sheet: Adult dose of tetanus, diphtheria and pertussis (Tdap) vaccine: information for adults & caregivers. December 2014.

 Revised: 2022-04-19