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 which makes it hard to breathe, eat, or drink. This can be extremely serious 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.

Frequency of shots:
- Adolescents should receive a single dose of TDaP, preferably at age 11 or 12 years.
- Pregnant women should get a dose of TDaP during every pregnancy to protect the newborn from pertussis, since infants are most at risk for severe, life-threatening complications from pertussis.
- Also, adults should receive a booster dose every 10 years, or earlier in the case of a severe and dirty wound or burn. Booster doses can be either TDaP or TD (a different vaccine that protects against tetanus and diphtheria but not pertussis).

Who can use this:
- Children >7y/o and above
- Pregnant women should get a dose of TDaP during every pregnancy
- Adults who have never received TDaP should get a dose of TDaP

Who CANNOT use this:
- Has had an allergic reaction after a previous dose of any vaccine that protects against tetanus, diphtheria, or pertussis, or has any severe, life-threatening 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.