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Brand Names: Adacel (Tdap), Boostrix (Tdap)

Generic Name: tetanus, diphtheria, acellular pertussis vaccine (Tdap) (Pronunciation: TET a nus, dif THEER ee a, and ay SEL yoo ler per TUS iss)

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

What is tetanus, diphtheria, acellular pertussis vaccine (Tdap) (Boostrix)?

Diphtheria, tetanus, and pertussis are serious diseases caused by bacteria.

Diphtheria causes a thick coating in the nose, throat, and airway. It can lead to breathing problems, paralysis, heart failure, or death.

Pertussis (whooping cough) causes coughing so severe that it interferes with eating, drinking, or breathing. These spells can last for weeks and can lead to pneumonia, seizures (convulsions), brain damage, and death.

Tetanus (lockjaw) causes painful tightening of the muscles, usually all over the body. It can lead to "locking" of the jaw so the victim cannot open the mouth or swallow. Tetanus leads to death in about 1 out of 10 cases.

Diphtheria and pertussis are spread from person to person. Tetanus enters the body through a cut or wound.

The diphtheria, tetanus acellular, and pertussis adult vaccine (also called Tdap) is used to help prevent these diseases in people who are ages 10 to 64 years old. Most people in this age group require only one Tdap shot for protection against these diseases.

This vaccine works by exposing you to a small dose of the bacteria or a protein from the bacteria, which causes the body to develop immunity to the disease. This vaccine will not treat an active infection that has already developed in the body.

Like any vaccine, the Tdap vaccine may not provide protection from disease in every person.

What are the possible side effects of tetanus, diphtheria, acellular pertussis vaccine (Boostrix)?

You should not receive this vaccine a second time if you had a life-threatening allergic reaction after the first shot.

Keep track of any and all side effects you have after receiving this vaccine. If you ever have to receive another vaccine in the future, you will need to tell the doctor if the first shot caused any side effects.

Becoming infected with diphtheria, pertussis, or tetanus is much more dangerous to your health than receiving the vaccine to protect against these diseases. Like any medicine, this vaccine can cause side effects, but the risk of serious side effects is extremely low.

Get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

Call your doctor at once if you have any of these serious side effects within 7 days after receiving this vaccine:

• extreme drowsiness, fainting;
• seizure (black-out or convulsions); or
• high fever.

Less serious side effects include:

• mild fever or chills;
• redness, pain, tenderness, or swelling where the shot was given;
• headache or tiredness;
• joint pain, body aches; or
• mild nausea, diarrhea, or vomiting.

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report vaccine side effects to the US Department of Health and Human Services at 1-800-822-7967.

What is the most important information I should know about this vaccine (Boostrix)?

In most cases, tetanus, diphtheria, acellular pertussis vaccine is given in only one dose. Follow your doctor's instructions about receiving a booster dose if needed.

You can still receive a vaccine if you have a cold or fever. 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.

You should not receive this vaccine a second time if you had a life-threatening allergic reaction after the first shot.

Keep track of any and all side effects you have after receiving this vaccine. If you ever need to receive the vaccine again, you will need to tell your doctor if the first shot caused any side effects.

Becoming infected with diphtheria, pertussis, or tetanus is much more dangerous to your health than receiving the vaccine to protect against these diseases. Like any medicine, this vaccine can cause side effects, but the risk of serious side effects is extremely low.