The diphtheria, tetanus, and pertussis vaccine is a combination vaccine that protects against these three diseases:
Diphtheria usually causes inflammation of the throat and mucous membranes of the mouth. However, the bacteria that cause diphtheria produce a toxin that can damage the heart, kidneys, and nervous system. Diphtheria was once a leading cause of death in children.
Tetanus (lockjaw) causes severe muscle spasms, which result from a toxin produced by bacteria. The bacteria usually enter the body through a wound.
Pertussis (whooping cough) is a very contagious respiratory infection that is particularly dangerous to children younger than 2 years old and to people who have a weakened immune system.
For more information, see the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's (CDC) Tdap (Tetanus, Diphtheria, Pertussis) vaccine information statement.
(See also Overview of Immunization.)
The vaccine has two formulations:
DTaP (diphtheria-tetanus-pertussis) for children under 7 years
Tdap (tetanus-diphtheria-pertussis) for adolescents and adults
Tdap has lower doses of diphtheria and pertussis vaccine, indicated by the lower case d and p. The lower doses are adequate for adolescents and adults. There is also a vaccine that contains only the tetanus and diphtheria components (tetanus-diphtheria [Td] vaccine).
Administration of Diphtheria-Tetanus-Pertussis Vaccine
The DTaP vaccine is given as an injection into a muscle. As a part of routine childhood vaccinations, five injections of DTaP are given: typically at age 2 months, 4 months, 6 months, 15 to 18 months, and 4 to 6 years (see CDC: Child and Adolescent Immunization Schedule by Age).
DTaP is followed by one lifetime dose of a Tdap booster given at age 11 to 12 years and given to people 13 years or over who have never received Tdap or who are unsure about whether they received it. This dose is followed by a Td booster every 10 years (see CDC: Recommendations for Ages 19 Years or Older).
Pregnant women are given a dose of Tdap during each pregnancy (preferably at 27 to 36 weeks gestation). After pregnancy, women who have never received Tdap are given a dose.
Certain conditions may affect whether and when people are vaccinated (see also Who Should NOT Get Vaccinated With These Vaccines? from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention [CDC]). If people have a temporary illness, doctors usually wait to give the vaccine until the illness resolves.
Side Effects of Diphtheria-Tetanus-Pertussis Vaccine
The injection site may become sore, swollen, and red. Serious side effects are rare. They include high fever, inconsolable crying, brain problems, seizures, shock, and a severe allergic reaction.
Serious side effects usually result from the pertussis part of the vaccine. If they occur, the vaccine that contains pertussis is not used again. Instead, the tetanus-diphtheria vaccine (which does not contain the pertussis component) is used to complete the vaccination series.
The DTaP or Tdap vaccine is not repeated if seizures occur within 3 days after the vaccine is given or other signs of brain malfunction occur within 7 days after the vaccine is given.
More Information
The following English-language resources may be useful. Please note that THE MANUAL is not responsible for the content of these resources.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC): Tdap (tetanus, diphtheria, pertussis) vaccine information statement
European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC): Diphtheria: Recommended vaccinations
European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC): Tetanus: Recommended vaccinations
European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC): Pertussis: Recommended vaccinations
