What is tetanus and diphtheria toxoids vaccine (Td, adult)?
Tetanus and diphtheria are serious diseases caused by bacteria.
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 causes a thick coating in the nose, throat, and airways. It can lead to breathing
problems, paralysis, heart failure, or death.
Diphtheria is spread from person to person. Tetanus enters the body through a cut or
wound.
The tetanus and diphtheria toxoids vaccine (also called Td) is used to help prevent these
diseases in adults and children who are at least 7 years old.
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 tetanus and diphtheria toxoids vaccine may not provide protection
from disease in every person.
What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking tetanus and diphtheria toxoids vaccine (Td, adult)?
You should not receive this vaccine if you have ever had a life-threatening allergic
reaction to any vaccine containing diphtheria or tetanus, or if you have:
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;
-
Guillain-Barré syndrome (within 6 weeks after receiving a
diphtheria, tetanus, or pertussis vaccine);
-
seizure (convulsions); or
-
a severe skin reaction.
Before receiving this vaccine, tell the doctor if you have:
-
a bleeding or blood clotting disorder such as hemophilia or easy
bruising;
-
a history of seizures;
-
a neurologic disorder or disease affecting the brain (or if
this was a reaction to a previous vaccine);
-
an allergy to latex rubber;
-
a weak immune system caused by disease, bone marrow
transplant, or by using certain medicines or receiving cancer treatments; or
-
if you are taking a blood thinner such as warfarin
(Coumadin).
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.
FDA pregnancy category C. This vaccine may be harmful to an unborn baby. Tell
your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant before you have received the entire
series of vaccines.
It is not known whether this vaccine passes into breast milk or if it could harm a
nursing baby. Do not use receive the vaccine without telling your doctor if you are
breast-feeding a baby.
The adult version of this vaccine (Td) should not be given to anyone under the age of
7 years old. Another vaccine is available for use in younger children and infants.
How should I take tetanus and diphtheria toxoids vaccine (Td, adult)?
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.
The tetanus and diphtheria toxoids vaccine is given in a series of shots. The first shot is
usually given to a person who is at least 7 years old. The booster shots are then given 4 to 8
weeks after the first shot, and 6 to 12 months after the second shot. After the initial series, a
booster dose is given every 10 years.
A booster shot is also recommended in children who are 11 or 12 years old if more than 5
years have passed since the child's last tetanus and diphtheria vaccine.
If it has been longer than 5 years since your last booster, you may need an emergency
booster shot if you have been exposed to tetanus through a skin wound.
Your individual booster schedule may be different from these guidelines. Follow your
doctor's instructions or the schedule recommended by the health department of the state you live
in.
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.
What happens if I miss a dose of tetanus and diphtheria toxoids vaccine (Td, adult)?
Contact your doctor if you will miss a booster dose or if you get behind schedule. The
next dose should be given as soon as possible. There is no need to start over.
Be sure you receive all recommended doses of this vaccine. If you do not receive the full
series of vaccines, you may not be fully protected against the disease.
Where can I get more information about tetanus and diphtheria toxoids vaccine (Td, adult)?
Your pharmacist has information about tetanus and diphtheria toxoids vaccine (Td, adult) written for health professionals that you may read.
What are the possible side effects of tetanus and diphtheria toxoids vaccine (Td, adult)?
You should not receive a booster vaccine if you have had a life-threatening allergic
reaction after the first shot.
Keep track of any and all side effects you have after receiving this vaccine. When
you receive a booster dose, you will need to tell the doctor if the previous shots caused any side
effects.
Becoming infected with tetanus or diphtheria 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:
-
extreme drowsiness, fainting;
-
severe headache or vomiting;
-
confusion, seizure (black-out or convulsions); or
-
high fever.
Less serious side effects include:
-
redness, pain, tenderness, swelling, or a hard lump where the shot
was given;
-
mild fever;
-
joint pain, body aches;
-
mild drowsiness; or
-
mild vomiting.
Side effects other than those listed here may also occur. Talk to your
doctor about any side effect that seems unusual or that is especially bothersome. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
What is the most important information I should know about tetanus and diphtheria toxoids vaccine (Td, adult)?
The tetanus and diphtheria toxoids vaccine is given in a series of shots. The first shot is
usually given to a person who is at least 7 years old. The booster shots are then given 4 to 8
weeks after the first shot, and 6 to 12 months after the second shot. After the initial series, a
booster dose is given every 10 years.
A booster shot is also recommended in children who are 11 or 12 years old if more than 5
years have passed since the child's last tetanus and diphtheria vaccine.
If it has been longer than 5 years since your last booster, you may need an emergency
booster shot if you have been exposed to tetanus through a skin wound.
Your individual booster schedule may be different from these guidelines. Follow your
doctor's instructions or the schedule recommended by the health department of the state you live
in.
The adult version of this vaccine (Td) should not be given to anyone under the age of 7
years old. Another vaccine is available for use in younger children and infants.
Be sure you receive all recommended doses of this vaccine. If you do not receive the full
series of vaccines, you may not be fully protected against the disease.
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 a booster vaccine if you have had a life-threatening allergic
reaction after the first shot.
Keep track of any and all side effects you have after receiving this vaccine. When you
receive a booster dose, you will need to tell the doctor if the previous shots caused any side
effects.
Becoming infected with tetanus or diphtheria 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.
What should I avoid while taking tetanus and diphtheria toxoids vaccine (Td, adult)?
There are no restrictions on food, beverages, or activity before or after receiving this
vaccine unless your doctor has told you otherwise.
What other drugs will affect tetanus and diphtheria toxoids vaccine (Td, adult)?
Before receiving this vaccine, tell your doctor about all other vaccines you have
recently received.
Also tell the doctor if you have received drugs or treatments in the past 2 weeks that can
weaken the immune system, including:
-
an oral, nasal, inhaled, or injectable steroid medicine;
-
medications to treat psoriasis, rheumatoid arthritis, or
other autoimmune disorders, such as azathioprine (Imuran), efalizumab (Raptiva), etanercept
(Enbrel), leflunomide (Arava), and others; or
-
medicines to treat or prevent organ transplant rejection,
such as basiliximab (Simulect), cyclosporine (Sandimmune, Neoral, Gengraf), muromonab-CD3
(Orthoclone), mycophenolate mofetil (CellCept), sirolimus (Rapamune), or tacrolimus (Prograf).
If you are using any of these drugs, you may not be able to receive the
vaccine.
There may be other drugs that can affect this vaccine. Tell your doctor about all the
prescription and over-the-counter medications you are using. This includes vitamins, minerals,
herbal products, and drugs prescribed by other doctors. Do not start using a new medication
without telling your doctor.
What happens if I have an overdose of tetanus and diphtheria toxoids vaccine (Td, adult)?
