SD Health Department - Tdap Vaccine FAQ

South Dakota Adolescent Pertussis Initiative

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Tdap vaccine?

Tdap is a combination vaccine that contains vaccine that protects against tetanus, diphtheria, and pertussis (also known as whooping cough)

I thought that my child needed a Td shot?

On June 30, 2005 the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) voted to recommend the routine use of Tdap vaccines in adolescents aged 11–18 years in place of tetanus and diphtheria toxoids (Td) vaccines.

What are tetanus, diphtheria, and pertussis?

Tetanus is a disease that is caused by bacteria found in soil or manure that enters the body through cuts, punctures, or other wounds. Tetanus is also called lockjaw because it causes severe muscle spasms, especially in the jaw, neck, and chest muscles that control breathing.
Diphtheria is an infection of the mouth, nose and throat that most often affects children under 15 years of age. Ten percent of the victims of this disease die.
Pertussis is a highly contagious respiratory disease that is also known as whooping cough. Pertussis can cause rib fractures from severe coughing and pneumonia, and can result in hospitalization and death. Infants are most at risk for serious pertussis disease and death, and adolescents and adults can spread this disease to them. The most common sources of pertussis in children are caregivers and loved ones — parents, grandparents, siblings, daycare workers, health professionals, and teachers can carry the disease but don’t realize they are passing it on.

My adolescent had a vaccine called DTaP when he was a child. Is this the same as Tdap?

No, DTaP and Tdap protect against the same three diseases, but the vaccines are different. DTaP is given to children younger than 7 years of age, and Tdap is given to adolescents 10 years and older. The Tdap shot is necessary to boost immunity against these three diseases.

Does my adolescent need Tdap if she / he already had whooping cough or was vaccinated with DTaP?

Yes. Even people who have had the disease or have been fully vaccinated as children may be at risk of contracting pertussis. Studies have shown that immunity to pertussis begins to wane five to ten years after the person has the disease, or after the last vaccination.

Is it safe to give my adolescent Tdap vaccine if he / she has had a tetanus shot (Td) recently for an injury?

Yes. The typical recommended interval between Td and Tdap is five years. However, when pertussis protection is needed due to incidence of pertussis in the community, that interval may be shortened.

What are the risks associated with this vaccine?

Tdap vaccine is administered as a shot in the upper arm. There may be some pain, redness or swelling at the injection site, but severe reactions are unusual. More details can be found in the Vaccine Information Statement (use ADOBE) . There are no safety concerns with giving the Tdap vaccine at the same time as another vaccine, such as influenza.

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