Diphtheria, Tetanus, and Pertussis (DTaP/Tdap) Vaccine

DTaP, Tdap, Adacel, Boostrix, Infanrix, Pentaxim, Hexaxim


Uses


What is Diphtheria, Tetanus, and Pertussis (DTaP/Tdap) Vaccine for?

DTaP/Tdap vaccines help to prevent diphtheria, tetanus, and pertussis. Diphtheria and pertussis are infectious diseases which spread from one person to another through the air, via coughs or sneezes. Tetanus is not contagious but is a serious disease affecting the nerves, and enters the body through cuts or wounds.

Diphtheria- Diphtheria bacteria cause breathing difficulties, problems with swallowing, heart failure, paralysis, and death.

Tetanus- Tetanus bacteria produce a toxin that causes “lockjaw” resulting in painful muscle contractions, which interferes with breathing and swallowing, leading to death.

Pertussis - Pertussis bacteria cause uncontrollable, violent coughing (“whooping cough”) which results in breathing difficulties, as well as problems in eating or drinking.

What Are the Types of DTaP/Tdap Vaccine Available?
There are two types of vaccines available, which differ in their diphtheria and pertussis content:

  1. DTaP: Diphtheria, Tetanus, and acellular Pertussis
  2. Tdap: Tetanus, reduced diphtheria and acellular pertussis content

Who Should Receive the DTaP/Tdap Vaccine?
As part of the Singapore National Childhood Immunisation Schedule (NCIS), all children should receive a series of 3 doses, followed by 2 booster doses: 

Dose/BoosterDose 1Dose 2Dose 3Booster 1Booster 2
Age2 months4 months6 months18 months10-11 years
Vaccine TypeDTaPDTaPDTaPDTaPTdap


As part of the Singapore National Adult Immunisation Schedule (NAIS), the Tdap vaccine is recommended for adults with certain medical conditions, with no history of previous vaccination or if their last vaccination was at least 10 years ago. Consult your doctor for more details.

One dose of the Tdap vaccine is also recommended during 16 to 32 weeks of each pregnancy for protection of the infant against pertussis, regardless of the interval since the previous Tdap vaccination.

How should I take or use Diphtheria, Tetanus, and Pertussis (DTaP/Tdap) Vaccine?

How Is the DTaP/Tdap Vaccine Given?
It is given by injection into a muscle.
The DTaP/Tdap vaccine is a combination vaccine given as one shot.
It may be given on its own as one shot, or in combination with other vaccines (e.g. Hepatitis B, Hib, Polio, Varicella) as one shot.


Precaution


What precautions should I take when taking or using Diphtheria, Tetanus, and Pertussis (DTaP/Tdap) Vaccine?

Inform your healthcare professional if:

  • You are allergic to this vaccine or any of the other ingredients of this vaccine
  • You are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or breastfeeding
  • You are taking any other medications
  • You had an adverse reaction to the previous dose of the vaccination, especially involving the brain such as altered mental status, coma or fits
  • You have a history of fits (convulsions)
  • You are currently not feeling well and having a fever
  • You have an history of bleeding disorders

Side Effects


What are some common side effects of Diphtheria, Tetanus, and Pertussis (DTaP/Tdap) Vaccine?

Common side effects include:

  • Some people may feel faint after the vaccination
    • Sit for 15 minutes to avoid fainting
  • Pain, redness and swelling at the injection site
    • You may place a cold compress over the affected area for relief
    • You may give paracetamol for pain relief
  • Crying, irritability, restlessness, sleepiness
    • These side effects usually go away on its own
  • Loss of appetite, diarrhoea, vomiting
    • These side effects usually go away on its own

 Please see a doctor if these side effects do not get better or become worse.

Rare but serious side effects include:
The symptoms of a drug allergy include one or more of the following:

  • Swollen face/eyes/lips/tongue
  • Difficulty in breathing
  • Itchy skin rashes over your whole body

If you experience any of these symptoms, you should inform your healthcare professional immediately.


Handling


How should I store Diphtheria, Tetanus, and Pertussis (DTaP/Tdap) Vaccine?

  • Keep away from children
  • Keep in a cool, dry place, away from direct sunlight

Disclaimers

Please take note that the above is not a complete list of all possible side effects. If you have any concerns about your medication or if you have other side effects that you think are caused by this medication, please consult your doctor or pharmacist.

If you take more than the recommended dose, please seek medical advice immediately. The information provided on this page does not replace information from your healthcare professional. Please consult your healthcare professional for more information.

This article is jointly developed by members of the National Medication Information workgroup. The workgroup consists of cluster partners (National Healthcare Group, National University Health System, and SingHealth), community pharmacies (Guardian, Unity, and Watsons), and the Pharmaceutical Society of Singapore. The content does not reflect drug availability and supply information in pharmacies and healthcare institutions. You are advised to check with the respective institutions for such information.

Last Updated on September 2021



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