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In this Article

• What is tetanus, diphtheria, acellular pertussis vaccine (Tdap) (Adacel)?
• What are the possible side effects of tetanus, diphtheria, acellular pertussis vaccine (Adacel)?
• What is the most important information I should know about this vaccine (Adacel)?
• What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before receiving this vaccine (Adacel)?
• How is this vaccine given (Adacel)?
• What happens if I miss a dose (Adacel)?
• What happens if I overdose (Adacel)?
• What should I avoid before or after receiving this vaccine (Adacel)?
• What other drugs will affect tetanus, diphtheria, acellular pertussis vaccine (Adacel)?
• Where can I get more information?

What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before receiving this vaccine (Adacel)?

You should not receive this vaccine if you have ever had a life-threatening reaction to any vaccine containing diphtheria, pertussis, or tetanus, including extreme drowsiness, fainting, or seizures (convulsions).

You may not be able to receive this vaccine if you have ever received a similar vaccine that caused any of the following:

• a very high fever (over 104 degrees);
• a neurologic disorder or disease affecting the brain;
• fainting or going into shock;
• an allergy to latex rubber;
• severe or uncontrolled epilepsy or other seizure disorder; or
• Guillain-Barré syndrome (within 6 weeks after receiving a vaccine containing tetanus).

Before receiving a Tdap vaccine, tell the doctor if you have:

• a history of seizures;
• a neurologic disorder or disease affecting the brain (or if this was a reaction to a previous vaccine);
• a weak immune system caused by disease, bone marrow transplant, or by using certain medicines or receiving cancer treatments; or
• if it has been less than 5 years since you last received a tetanus shot.

You can still receive a vaccine if you have a minor cold. In the case of a more severe illness with a fever or any type of infection, wait until you get better before receiving this vaccine.

FDA pregnancy category C. It is not known whether this vaccine is harmful to an unborn baby. Before receiving the Tdap vaccine, tell your doctor if you are pregnant.

It is not known whether Tdap vaccine passes into breast milk or if it could harm a nursing baby. Do not use this medication without telling your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.

The adult version of this vaccine (Adacel, Boostrix) should not be given to anyone under the age of 10 or over the age of 64. Another vaccine is available for use in children younger than 10 years old.

How is this vaccine given (Adacel)?

This vaccine is given as an injection (shot) into a muscle. You will receive this injection in a doctor's office or other clinic setting.

In most cases, you will receive only one dose of the tetanus, diphtheria, acellular pertussis vaccine. Follow your doctor's instructions about receiving a booster dose if needed.

Your doctor may recommend treating fever and pain with an aspirin-free pain reliever such as acetaminophen (Tylenol) or ibuprofen (Motrin, Advil, and others) when the shot is given and for the next 24 hours. Follow the label directions or your doctor's instructions about how much of this medicine to take.

It is especially important to prevent fever from occurring if you have a seizure disorder such as epilepsy.