VACCINE INFORMATION STATEMENT

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

U.S. Department of 

Health and Human Services 

Centers for Disease 

Control and Prevention 

Tdap (Tetanus, Diphtheria, Pertussis) 

Vaccine: What You Need to Know

1. Why get vaccinated?

Tdap vaccine can prevent tetanus, diphtheria, 

and pertussis.

Diphtheria and pertussis spread from person 

to person. Tetanus enters the body through cuts 

or wounds.

 TETANUS (T) causes painful stiffening of the 

muscles. Tetanus can lead to serious health 

problems, including being unable to open the 

mouth, having trouble swallowing and breathing, 

or death.

 DIPHTHERIA (D) can lead to difficulty breathing, 

heart failure, paralysis, or death.

 PERTUSSIS (aP), also known as “whooping 

cough,” can cause uncontrollable, violent coughing 

that makes it hard to breathe, eat, or drink. 

Pertussis can be extremely serious especially in 

babies and young children, causing pneumonia, 

convulsions, brain damage, or death. In teens and 

adults, it can cause weight loss, loss of bladder 

control, passing out, and rib fractures from severe 

coughing.

2. Tdap vaccine

Tdap is only for children 7 years and older, 

adolescents, and adults.

Adolescents should receive a single dose of Tdap, 

preferably at age 11 or 12 years.

Pregnant people should get a dose of Tdap during 

every pregnancy, preferably during the early part of 

the third trimester, to help protect the newborn from 

pertussis. Infants are most at risk for severe, lifethreatening complications from pertussis.

Adults who have never received Tdap should get a 

dose of Tdap.

Also, adults should receive a booster dose of 

either Tdap or Td (a different vaccine that protects 

against tetanus and diphtheria but not pertussis) 

every 10 years, or after 5 years in the case of a severe 

or dirty wound or burn.

Tdap may be given at the same time as other 

vaccines.

3. Talk with your health 

care provider

Tell your vaccination provider if the person getting 

the vaccine:

 Has had an allergic reaction after a previous 

dose of any vaccine that protects against tetanus, 

diphtheria, or pertussis, or has any severe, lifethreatening allergies

 Has had a coma, decreased level of consciousness, 

or prolonged seizures within 7 days after a 

previous dose of any pertussis vaccine (DTP, 

DTaP, or Tdap)

 Has seizures or another nervous system problem

 Has ever had Guillain-Barré Syndrome (also 

called “GBS”)

 Has had severe pain or swelling after a previous 

dose of any vaccine that protects against tetanus 

or diphtheria

In some cases, your health care provider may decide 

to postpone Tdap vaccination until a future visit.

People with minor illnesses, such as a cold, may be 

vaccinated. People who are moderately or severely ill 

should usually wait until they recover before getting 

Tdap vaccine.

Your health care provider can give you more 

information.
OFFICE 

USE 

ONLY

42 U.S.C. § 300aa-26

8/6/2021

Vaccine Information Statement

Tdap (Tetanus, Diphtheria, Pertussis) Vaccine

4. Risks of a vaccine reaction

 Pain, redness, or swelling where the shot was given, 

mild fever, headache, feeling tired, and nausea, 

vomiting, diarrhea, or stomachache sometimes 

happen after Tdap vaccination.

People sometimes faint after medical procedures, 

including vaccination. Tell your provider if you feel 

dizzy or have vision changes or ringing in the ears.

As with any medicine, there is a very remote chance 

of a vaccine causing a severe allergic reaction, other 

serious injury, or death.

5. What if there is a serious 

problem?

An allergic reaction could occur after the 

vaccinated person leaves the clinic. If you see signs 

of a severe allergic reaction (hives, swelling of the 

face and throat, difficulty breathing, a fast heartbeat, 

dizziness, or weakness), call 9-1-1 and get the person 

to the nearest hospital.

For other signs that concern you, call your health 

care provider.

Adverse reactions should be reported to the Vaccine 

Adverse Event Reporting System (VAERS). Your 

health care provider will usually file this report, or 

you can do it yourself. Visit the VAERS website at 

www.vaers.hhs.gov or call 1-800-822-7967. VAERS 

is only for reporting reactions, and VAERS staff 

members 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. Claims regarding alleged injury or 

death due to vaccination have a time limit for filing, 

which may be as short as two years. Visit the VICP 

website at www.hrsa.gov/vaccinecompensation or 

call 1-800-338-2382 to learn about the program and 

about filing a claim.

7. How can I learn more?

 Ask your health care provider.

 Call your local or state health department.

 Visit the website of the Food and Drug 

Administration (FDA) for vaccine package 

inserts and additional information at 

www.fda.gov/vaccines-blood-biologics/vaccines.

 Contact the Centers for Disease Control and 

Prevention (CDC):

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

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