VACCINE INFORMATION STATEMENT

Td Vaccine

What You Need to Know

(Tetanus and 

Diphtheria)

Many Vaccine Information Statements are 

available in Spanish and other languages. 

See www.immunize.org/vis

Hojas de información sobre vacunas están 

disponibles en español y en muchos otros 

idiomas. Visite www.immunize.org/vis

1 Why get vaccinated?

Tetanus and diphtheria are very serious diseases. They 

are rare in the United States today, but people who do 

become infected often have severe complications. Td 

vaccine is used to protect adolescents and adults from 

both of these diseases.

Both tetanus and diphtheria are infections caused by 

bacteria. Diphtheria spreads from person to person 

through coughing or sneezing. Tetanus-causing bacteria 

enter the body through cuts, scratches, or wounds.

TETANUS (Lockjaw) causes painful muscle tightening 

and stiffness, usually all over the body.

•	 It can lead to tightening of muscles in the head and 

neck so you can’t open your mouth, swallow, or 

sometimes even breathe. Tetanus kills about 1 out of 

every 5 people who are infected.

DIPHTHERIA can cause a thick coating to form in the 

back of the throat.

•	 It can lead to breathing problems, paralysis, heart 

failure, and death.

Before vaccines, the United States saw as many as 

200,000 cases a year of diphtheria and hundreds of 

cases of tetanus. Since vaccination began, cases of both 

diseases have dropped by about 99%.

2 Td vaccine

Td vaccine can protect adolescents and adults from 

tetanus and diphtheria. Td is usually given as a booster 

dose every 10 years but it can also be given earlier after 

a severe and dirty wound or burn. 

Your doctor can give you more information.

Td may safely be given at the same time as other 

vaccines.

3 Some people should not get 

this vaccine

•	 If you ever had a life-threatening allergic reaction after 

a dose of any tetanus or diphtheria containing vaccine, 

OR if you have a severe allergy to any part of this 

vaccine, you should not get Td. Tell your doctor if you 

have any severe allergies.

•	 Talk to your doctor if you:

- have epilepsy or another nervous system problem,

- had severe pain or swelling after any vaccine 

containing diphtheria or tetanus, 

- ever had Guillain Barré Syndrome (GBS),

- aren’t feeling well on the day the shot is scheduled.

4 Risks of a vaccine reaction

With a vaccine, like any medicine, there is a chance of 

side effects. These are usually mild and go away on 

their own. 

Serious side effects are also possible, but are very rare.

Most people who get Td vaccine do not have any 

problems with it.

Mild Problems following Td

(Did not interfere with activities)

•	 Pain where the shot was given (about 8 people in 10)

•	 Redness or swelling where the shot was given (about 1 

person in 3)

•	 Mild fever (about 1 person in 15)

•	 Headache or Tiredness (uncommon)

Moderate Problems following Td

(Interfered with activities, but did not require medical 

attention)

•	 Fever over 102°F (rare)

Severe Problems following Td

(Unable to perform usual activities; required medical 

attention)

•	 Swelling, severe pain, bleeding and/or redness in the 

arm where the shot was given (rare).
Problems that could happen after any vaccine:

•	 Brief fainting spells can happen after any medical 

procedure, including vaccination. Sitting or lying 

down for about 15 minutes can help prevent fainting, 

and injuries caused by a fall. Tell your doctor if 

you feel dizzy, or have vision changes or ringing 

in the ears.

•	 Severe shoulder pain and reduced range of motion 

in the arm where a shot was given can happen, very 

rarely, after a vaccination.

•	 Severe allergic reactions from a vaccine are very rare, 

estimated at less than 1 in a million doses. If one were 

to occur, it would usually be within a few minutes to a 

few hours after the vaccination.

5 What if there is a serious 

reaction?

What should I look for?

•	 Look for anything that concerns you, such as signs of 

a severe allergic reaction, very high fever, or behavior 

changes.

Signs of a severe allergic reaction can include hives, 

swelling of the face and throat, difficulty breathing, a

fast heartbeat, dizziness, and weakness. These would 

usually start a few minutes to a few hours after the 

vaccination.

What should I do?

•	 If you think it is a severe allergic reaction or other 

emergency that can’t wait, call 9-1-1 or get the person 

to the nearest hospital. Otherwise, call your doctor.

•	 Afterward, the reaction should be reported to the 

Vaccine Adverse Event Reporting System (VAERS). 

Your doctor might file this report, or you can do it

yourself through the VAERS web site at www.vaers.

hhs.gov, or by calling 1-800-822-7967.

VAERS is only for reporting reactions. They do not give 

medical advice.

6 The National Vaccine Injury 

Compensation Program

The National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program 

(VICP) is a federal program that was created to 

compensate people who may have been injured by 

certain vaccines.

Persons who believe they may have been injured by a 

vaccine can learn about the program and about filing a

claim by calling 1-800-338-2382 or visiting the VICP 

website at www.hrsa.gov/vaccinecompensation.

7 How can I learn more?

•	 Ask your doctor.

•	 Call your local or state health department.

•	 Contact the Centers for Disease Control and 

Prevention (CDC):

- Call 1-800-232-4636 (1-800-CDC-INFO)

- Visit CDC’s website at www.cdc.gov/vaccines

 Vaccine Information Statement (Interim)

 Td Vaccine

 42 U.S.C. § 300aa-26

2/04/2014

Office Use Only