VACCINE INFORMATION STATEMENT

Tdap Vaccine

What You Need to Know

(Tetanus, Diphtheria, 

and Pertussis) 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, diphtheria and pertussis can be very serious 

diseases, even for adolescents and adults. Tdap vaccine 

can protect us from these diseases.

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 

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.

PERTUSSIS (Whooping Cough) causes severe 

coughing spells, which can cause difficulty breathing,

vomiting and disturbed sleep.

•	 It can also lead to weight loss, incontinence, and 

rib fractures. Up to 2 in 100 adolescents and 5 in 

100 adults with pertussis are hospitalized or have 

complications, which could include pneumonia or 

death. 

These diseases are caused by bacteria. Diphtheria and 

pertussis are spread from person to person through 

coughing or sneezing. Tetanus enters the body through 

cuts, scratches, or wounds.

Before vaccines, the United States saw as many as 

200,000 cases a year of diphtheria and pertussis, and 

hundreds of cases of tetanus. Since vaccination began, 

tetanus and diphtheria have dropped by about 99% and 

pertussis by about 80%.

2 Tdap vaccine

Tdap vaccine can protect adolescents and adults from 

tetanus, diphtheria, and pertussis. One dose of Tdap is 

routinely given at age 11 or 12. People who did not get 

Tdap at that age should get it as soon as possible.

Tdap is especially important for health care professionals 

and anyone having close contact with a baby younger 

than 12 months.

Pregnant women should get a dose of Tdap during every 

pregnancy, to protect the newborn from pertussis. Infants 

are most at risk for severe, life-threatening complications 

from pertussis.

A similar vaccine, called Td, protects from tetanus and 

diphtheria, but not pertussis. A Td booster should be 

given every 10 years. Tdap may be given as one of these 

boosters if you have not already gotten a dose. Tdap may 

also be given after a severe cut or burn to prevent tetanus 

infection.

Your doctor can give you more information.

Tdap 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, diphtheria, or pertussis 

containing vaccine, OR if you have a severe allergy to 

any part of this vaccine, you should not get Tdap. Tell 

your doctor if you have any severe allergies.

•	 If you had a coma, or long or multiple seizures within 

7 days after a childhood dose of DTP or DTaP, you 

should not get Tdap, unless a cause other than the 

vaccine was found. You can still get Td.

•	 Talk to your doctor if you:

- have epilepsy or another nervous system problem,

- had severe pain or swelling after any vaccine 

 containing diphtheria, tetanus or pertussis, 

- ever had Guillain-Barré Syndrome (GBS),

- aren’t feeling well on the day the shot is scheduled.
4 Risks of a vaccine reaction

With any medicine, including vaccines, there is a chance 

of side effects. These are usually mild and go away on 

their own, but serious reactions are also possible.

Brief fainting spells can follow a vaccination, leading 

to injuries from falling. Sitting or lying down for about 

15 minutes can help prevent these. Tell your doctor if 

you feel dizzy or light-headed, or have vision changes or 

ringing in the ears.

Mild problems following Tdap

(Did not interfere with activities)

•	 Pain where the shot was given (about 3 in 4 

adolescents or 2 in 3 adults)

•	 Redness or swelling where the shot was given (about 

1 person in 5)

•	 Mild fever of at least 100.4°F (up to about 1 in 

25 adolescents or 1 in 100 adults)

•	 Headache (about 3 or 4 people in 10)

•	 Tiredness (about 1 person in 3 or 4)

•	 Nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, stomach ache (up to 1 in 

4 adolescents or 1 in 10 adults)

•	 Chills, body aches, sore joints, rash, swollen glands 

(uncommon)

Moderate problems following Tdap

(Interfered with activities, but did not require medical 

attention)

•	 Pain where the shot was given (about 1 in 

5 adolescents or 1 in 100 adults) 

•	 Redness or swelling where the shot was given (up to 

about 1 in 16 adolescents or 1 in 25 adults)

•	 Fever over 102°F (about 1 in 100 adolescents or 1 in 

250 adults)

•	 Headache (about 3 in 20 adolescents or 1 in 10 adults)

•	 Nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, stomach ache (up to 1 or 

3 people in 100)

•	 Swelling of the entire arm where the shot was given 

(up to about 3 in 100).

Severe problems following Tdap

(Unable to perform usual activities; required medical 

attention)

•	 Swelling, severe pain, bleeding and redness in the arm 

where the shot was given (rare).

A severe allergic reaction could occur after any vaccine 

(estimated less than 1 in a million doses). 

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 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 or visit 

CDC’s website at www.cdc.gov/vaccines

 Vaccine Information Statement (Interim)

 Tdap Vaccine

 05/09/2013

 42 U.S.C. § 300aa-26

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