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 

Td (Tetanus, Diphtheria) Vaccine:

What You Need to Know

1. Why get vaccinated?

Td vaccine can prevent tetanus and diphtheria.

Tetanus enters the body through cuts or wounds. 

Diphtheria spreads from person to person.

 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.

2. Td vaccine

Td is only for children 7 years and older, adolescents, 

and adults.

Td is usually given as a booster dose every 10 years, 

or after 5 years in the case of a severe or dirty wound 

or burn.

Another vaccine, called “Tdap,” may be used instead 

of Td. Tdap protects against pertussis, also known 

as “whooping cough,” in addition to tetanus and 

diphtheria.

Td 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 or 

diphtheria, or has any severe, life-threatening 

allergies

 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 Td 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 

Td 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

Td (Tetanus, Diphtheria) 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 Td 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.