Adacel™ (dTap) Vaccine-Diphtheria, Tetanus And Pertussis (Whooping Cough)
This page was reviewed or revised on Wednesday, September 21, 2011 2:30 PM
Environmental Health & Prevention Services
What is Adacel™ (dTap) vaccine?
The Adacel™ (dTap) vaccine protects people against 3 diseases: tetanus, diphtheria and pertussis (whooping cough). It can be given to those 11- 64 years of age.
What is tetanus?
Tetanus, also called lockjaw, can happen if dirt with the tetanus germ gets into a cut. Even with early treatment, tetanus kills 2 of every 10 who get it.
What is diphtheria?
Diphtheria is a disease of the nose, throat and skin. It can cause breathing troubles, heart failure and nerve damage. One of every 10 who gets it dies.
What is pertussis?
Pertussis, also called whooping cough, can infect people of any age. Teens and adults are the most common source of infection for infants and young children. Whooping cough spreads very easily through coughing or sneezing. It can cause spells of violent coughing that lead to throwing up or can cause breathing to stop for a short period of time. The cough can last for weeks and make it hard to eat, drink or breathe.
Whooping cough can cause pneumonia in more than 2 of 10 children and also brain damage and death, most often in babies.
How well does Adacel™ work?
When the correct number of shots are given, over 85% of people are protected against diphtheria, over 95% of people are safe from tetanus and about 85% of people are guarded from whooping cough. Shots also make these diseases milder for those who may catch them.
Who should get Adacel™?
The vaccine is free for teens 11–16 years of age. Shots for diphtheria, tetanus, and whooping cough, as a rule, begin in infancy and continue in childhood. Booster shots for diphtheria and tetanus are needed every 10 years. A whooping cough booster is advised for teens and adults. Adults up to age 64 can receive this vaccine for a charge.
Is Adacel™ vaccine safe?
Yes. Serious side effects from the shot are rare. Mild pain, swelling and redness are common at the spot where the needle was given. A few may get a mild fever, headache, muscle aches, loss of appetite or feel tired for a 1 or 2 days.
Call your doctor if … any of these signs show up within 3 days after the needle:
- Hives
- Swelling of the face or mouth
- Trouble breathing
- Pale Colour
- Very tired
- High fever (over 40ºC or 104ºF)
- Convulsions or seizures
- Other problems
Who should NOT get Adacel™
The doctor or nurse may not give dTap vaccine if:
- Ill with a fever or infection worse than a cold
- Reaction to the vaccine
Questions about Adacel™ vaccine?
Talk to your doctor or call the County of Lambton Community Health Services Department at 519 383-8331 ext. 3572 or 3530 for more information.
Severe reactions are rare. However, you should wait 15 minutes after your injection before leaving.
Report any severe reaction to your health care provider or to Community Health Services Department.
Downloads:
- FACT_SHEET_Adacel(1).09(1).2011(1).pdf [ 119.4 KB ]
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