Why are these vaccines important?

• Tetanus – causes painful muscle contractions and lockjaw
• Diphtheria – can lead to difficulty breathing, heart failure, and paralysis
• Pertussis (whooping cough) causes uncontrollable coughing

How do I know these vaccines are safe?

• The Vaccine Adverse Effect Reporting System (VAERS) is a system used to monitor the effects of vaccines to ensure safety.
• No unexpected health concerns have been found from the Tdap vaccine in adolescents, adults, adults over 65 years old or pregnant women (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention [CDC], 2020).

Vaccine Schedule

• First dose at 11-12 years of age
• Pregnant women should receive a Tdap vaccine during each pregnancy
• Adults who have never received a dose should get a Tdap vaccine
• Adults should receive a booster Tdap (or Td) vaccine every 10 years

Common Side Effects

• Fever
• Headache
• Injection site pain/swelling/redness
• Nausea or diarrhea

Talk to your doctor about if the Tdap is right for you if…

• You have a history of seizures or other nervous system problems
• You have a history of side effects after vaccines
• You are not feeling well the day of the scheduled vaccine
• Developed Guillain-Barre Syndrome after a previous Tdap dose
• You have a history of severe pain after Tdap doses

https://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/hcp/vis/vis-statements/tdap.html

https://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/vpd/dtap-tdap-td/hcp/recommendations.html

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