Dosing & Uses
Dosage Forms & Strengths
Lf = limits of flocculation
pertussis/diphtheria/tetanus
injection for suspension
- (15.5mcg/2Lf/5Lf)/0.5mL (Adacel)
- (18.5mcg/2.5Lf/5Lf)/0.5mL (Boostrix)
Immunization
Indicated for active booster immunization against tetanus, diphtheria, and pertussis as a single dose; substitute 1 dose of Tdap for Td booster; ensure continued protection against tetanus and diphtheria, booster doses of either Td or Tdap should be administered every 10 yr throughout life
Boostrix: 0.5 mL IM; approved for individuals aged ≥10 yr
Adacel
- 0.5 mL IM; approved for individuals aged 10-64 yr
-
Routine booster vaccination
- First dose: Administer ≥5 yr after the last dose of diphtheria and tetanus toxoids and acellular pertussis (DTaP) series or after a dose of tetanus and diphtheria toxoids adsorbed (Td)
- May administer a second dose ≥8 yr after the first dose of Tdap
-
Wound management
- May administer for tetanus prophylaxis for wound management
- Booster dose may be administered if >5 yr have elapsed since previous receipt of a tetanus toxoid containing vaccine
CDC ACIP Recommendations
Regardless of the interval since their last tetanus or diphtheria toxoid-containing vaccine, persons aged ≥19 yr who have never received a dose of Tdap should receive 1 dose of Tdap
To ensure continued protection against tetanus and diphtheria, booster doses of either Td or Tdap should be administered every 10 yr throughout life (MMWR January 24, 2020 / 69(3);77-83)
Immunization During Pregnancy
Administer Tdap vaccine to pregnant women to reduce morbidity and mortality associated with pertussis in infants <2 months
The CDC's Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) recommends all pregnant women receive 1 dose of Tdap during each pregnancy ideally between 27 and 36 weeks of gestation regardless of vaccination history and time since prior Td or Tdap
Dosage Forms & Strengths
Lf = limits of flocculation
pertussis/diphtheria/tetanus
injection for suspension
- (15.5mcg/2Lf/5Lf)/0.5mL (Adacel)
- (18.5mcg/2.5Lf/5Lf)/0.5mL (Boostrix)
Routine Vaccination
Indicated as active booster immunization for prevention of tetanus, diphtheria (not indicated for primary immunization series)
Boostrix: 0.5 mL IM; approved for individuals aged ≥10 yr
Adacel
- 0.5 mL IM; approved for individuals aged ≥10 yr
-
Routine booster vaccination
- First dose: Administer ≥5 yr after the last dose of diphtheria and tetanus toxoids and acellular pertussis (DTaP) series or after a dose of tetanus and diphtheria toxoids adsorbed (Td)
- May administer a second dose ≥8 yr after the first dose of Tdap
-
Wound management
- May administer for tetanus prophylaxis for wound management
- Booster dose may be administered if >5 yr have elapsed since previous receipt of a tetanus toxoid containing vaccine
CDC ACIP general recommendations
- 11-18 years: A single dose of Tdap, preferably at a preventive care visit at age 11-12 years
- To ensure continued protection against tetanus and diphtheria, 1 booster dose of either Td or Tdap should be administered every 10 yr throughout life (MMWR January 24, 2020 / 69(3);77-83)
Catch-up Vaccination
≥7 years who are not fully immunized with DTaP vaccine: Administer a single-dose Tdap vaccine (preferably the first) dose in the catch-up series; if additional doses are needed, use either Td or Tdap vaccine
Children 7-10 years who receive a dose of Tdap as part of the catch-up series: Administer an adolescent Tdap vaccine dose at age 11-12 years
11-18 years: Administer booster of Td or Tdap every 10 years
≥19 years who did previously receive dose of Tdap: Administer 1 dose of Tdap; to ensure continued protection against tetanus and diphtheria, booster doses of either Td or Tdap should be administered every 10 yr throughout life
Immunization During Pregnancy
Administer Tdap vaccine to pregnant adolescents to reduce morbidity and mortality associated with pertussis in infants <2 months
The CDC's Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) recommends all pregnant females receive 1 dose of Tdap during each pregnancy ideally between 27 and 36 weeks of gestation regardless of vaccination history and time since prior Td or Tdap
Dosing Considerations
Inadvertent doses of Tdap vaccine
-
Age 2 months to 6 years
- If Tdap is administered inadvertently instead of DTaP as any one of the first 3 doses of the tetanus-diphtheria-pertussis vaccination series, do not count Tdap dose and administer replacement dose of DTaP
- If Tdap is administered inadvertently as fourth or fifth dose in tetanus-diphtheria-pertussis vaccination series, count Tdap dose as valid and do not replace; administer adolescent Tdap dose as recommended when this child is aged 11-12 years
-
Age 7-10 years
- Children aged 7-10 years who are fully vaccinated: If Tdap is administered inadvertently, do not count Tdap dose as valid
- Administer adolescent Tdap dose as recommended when child is 11-12 years; however, if Tdap is administered at age 10 years, the Tdap dose may count as the adolescent Tdap dose
Interactions
Interaction Checker
No Results
Contraindicated
Serious - Use Alternative
Significant - Monitor Closely
Minor
Adverse Effects
>10% (Boostrix)
Pain (21.5%)
Fatigue (12.5%)
Headache (11.5%)
Redness (10.8%)
Swelling (7.5%)
>10% (Adacel)
Any injection site pain (65.7-77.8%)
Malaise (30.8-33.3%)
Headache (33.9-43.7%)
Body ache or muscle weakness (21.9-30.4%)
Tiredness (24.3-30.2%)
Any injection site erythema (20.8-24.7%)
Any injection site swelling (20.9-21%)
Moderate injection site pain (15.1-18%)
Chills (8.1-15.1%)
Nausea (9.2-13.3%)
Sore and swollen joints (9.1-11.3%)
Diarrhea (10.3%)
1-10% (Boostrix)
Gastrointestinal symptoms (7.6%)
Swelling (7.5%)
Fever (≥99.5°F [37.5°C])
1-10% (Adacel)
Body aches/muscle weakness (1.2-8.5%)
Injection site erythema (2.7-8.4%)
Lymph node swelling (6.5-6.6%)
Injection site swelling (2.8-6.4%)
Fever (1.4-5%)
Vomiting (3-4.6%)
Chills, moderate (1.3-3.2%)
Nausea (1-3.2%)
Rash (2-2.7%)
Joint pain, moderate (2.5%)
Severe injection site reactions (1.1-1.5%)
Lymphadenopathy (1%)
Warnings
Contraindications
Hypersensitivity
Encephalopathy with 7 days of previously administered pertussis antigen
History of Arthus reaction to prior tetanus vaccination (unless 10 yr have elapsed)
Cautions
Epinephrine and other emergency equipment should be available to respond to hypersensitivity reactions
Not indicated for primary vaccination series; for children aged 6 months-7 yr, see DTaP
Caution if Guillain-Barré syndrome and brachial neuritis has occurred with previously administered tetanus toxoid
Caution with neurologic disorders (eg, epilepsy, CVA, encephalopathic condition)
Defer vaccine if moderate or severe illness present
Syncope has been associated with administration of injectable vaccine
Attenuated immune response may occur with immunosuppressed conditions (eg, high-dose corticosteroids, use of antineoplastic agents, immunosuppressive illness)
Prefilled syringes contain natural latex rubber
Pregnancy & Lactation
Pregnancy
There are no adequate and well-controlled studies of administration in pregnant women
Available data suggest the rates of major birth defects and miscarriage in women who receive Tdap within 30 days prior to pregnancy or during pregnancy are consistent with estimated background rates
Animal studies
- Adacel: Two developmental toxicity studies were performed in female rabbits given 0.5 mL (a single human dose) of Adacel twice prior and during gestation
- Boostrix: Developmental toxicity studies were performed in female rats and New Zealand White rabbits did not observe fetal abnormalities following vaccine administration before mating and during gestation
Pregnancy registries
- Clinicians are encouraged to call and register women in the following pregnancy exposure registries
- Adacel: 1-800-822- 2463 (1-800-VACCINE)
- Boostrix: 1-888-452-9622
Lactation
Unknown if distributed in human breast milk
Consider the developmental and health benefits of breastfeeding along with the mother’s clinical need for the drug, and any potential adverse effects on the breastfed infant from the drug or from the underlying maternal condition
Pregnancy Categories
A: Generally acceptable. Controlled studies in pregnant women show no evidence of fetal risk.
B: May be acceptable. Either animal studies show no risk but human studies not available or animal studies showed minor risks and human studies done and showed no risk. C: Use with caution if benefits outweigh risks. Animal studies show risk and human studies not available or neither animal nor human studies done. D: Use in LIFE-THREATENING emergencies when no safer drug available. Positive evidence of human fetal risk. X: Do not use in pregnancy. Risks involved outweigh potential benefits. Safer alternatives exist. NA: Information not available.Pharmacology
Mechanism of Action
Active immunization resulting in development of neutralizing antibodies to tetanus, diphtheria, and pertussis toxins
These products convey active immunity via stimulation of production of endogenously produced antibodies
Pharmacokinetics
The onset of protection from disease is relatively slow, but duration is long lasting (years)
Duration: Variable, possibly >10 yr; Tdap maternal pertussis antibodies appear to wane greatly between subsequent pregnancies
Administration
IM Preparation
Shake vigorously to obtain a homogeneous, turbid, white suspension before administration; do not use if resuspension does not occur with vigorous shaking
Visually inspected for particulate matter and discoloration prior to administration, whenever solution and container permit
Adacel or Boostrix vial: Withdraw 0.5 mL dose from vial using a sterile needle and syringe
IM Administration
IM administration only
Do not administer IV, intradermally, or SC
Storage
All formulations: Refrigerate between 2-8°C (36-46°F); do not freeze
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Patient Handout
Formulary
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