Diphtheria and tetanus vaccine
Brochure
At one time, diphtheria disease was very common in Canada and tetanus (or lockjaw) caused deaths every year. There was little you could do to prevent getting the bacteria that caused these diseases.
- With the introduction of vaccines, lives have been saved.
- Vaccines protect people at the time they are most likely to get the diseases and usually for many years after.
About Td vaccine
Who should receive the Td vaccine?
The tetanus and diphtheria (Td) booster is a continuation of a “series” of vaccines that are given to babies and adolescents to protect them against several childhood diseases. When children get the entire series, they have about a 92–98% protection against diphtheria and tetanus. However, this protection will decrease over time.
- It is recommended that all adults receive a dose of Td vaccine every 10 years to provide lifelong protection.
You should not get the vaccine if you have had a severe allergic reaction (anaphylaxis) to a previous dose of a tetanus and/or diphtheria containing vaccine or to a component in this vaccine.
Is the Td vaccine safe?
Yes, this vaccine is safe. It does not contain living bacteria or viruses. You can not get the disease from the vaccine. In Canada, vaccines must undergo laboratory and field testing to pass a rigorous licensing procedure with the federal government before they are introduced. Once a vaccine is approved, every lot is tested for safety and quality. In addition, side effects are continuously monitored.
What are the side effects of the Td vaccine?
Some people may experience side effects. The more common side effects are generally mild and resolve quickly. For a day or two, some people may:
- Have redness, swelling and soreness in the area where the needle was given,
- Get a small painless lump where the needle was given,
- Have mild fever, headache, decreased energy or general body aches.
More serious side effects are not common. As with any immunization, unexpected or unusual side effects can occur. Severe allergic reactions (anaphylaxis) are rare, occurring at a rate of approximately one to three reports per 1,000,000 doses of vaccine given.
What if you are allergic to latex or thimerosal?
You may still receive this vaccine because latex and thimerosal are not in the vaccine or the packaging.
What should you do if there is a reaction to this vaccine?
- For pain or swelling where the needle was given, place a cool damp towel on the area.
- For pain or fever, take acetaminophen (also called Tylenol®) as directed on the container. Note: ASA is not recommended for individuals younger than 18 years of age because of the increased risk of Reye’s Syndrome.
- Call your local public health nurse if you have questions or if there is an unusual reaction to the vaccine.
Talk to a public health nurse before getting this vaccine if you:
- Are sick now with something more serious than a cold or have a fever greater that 38.5 C (101.3 F);
- Have severe allergies to any part of the vaccine;
- Are severely allergic to any foods, drugs, bee stings, etc.;
- Have a weakened immune system (immune compromised).
