Generic name: tetanus, diphtheria, acellular pertussis vaccine (Tdap) [ TET-a-nus, dif-THEER-ee-a, and-ay-SEL-yoo-ler-per-TUS-iss ]
Brand name: Boostrix (Tdap)
Drug class: Vaccine combinations

Medically reviewed by Melisa Puckey, BPharm. Last updated on Mar 1, 2024.

What is Boostrix?

Boostrix is used for active booster immunization against tetanus, diphtheria, and pertussis in individuals aged 10 years and older.

Boostrix is also used for immunization during the third trimester of pregnancy to prevent pertussis in infants younger than 2 months of age. 

Diphtheria and pertussis are spread from person to person. Tetanus enters the body through a cut or wound.

Boostrix is especially important for healthcare workers or people who have close contact with a baby younger than 12 months old.

Boostrix works by exposing you to a small dose of the bacteria or a protein from the bacteria, which causes the body to develop immunity to the disease. This vaccine will not treat an active infection that has already developed in the body.

Like any vaccine, Boostrix may not provide protection from disease in every person.

Warnings

You should not receive Boostrix if you have ever had had a life-threatening allergic reaction to a tetanus, diphtheria, or pertussis vaccine.

You should not receive Boostrix if you had a neurologic disorder affecting your brain within 7 days after having a previous pertussis vaccine.

Becoming infected with diphtheria, pertussis, or tetanus is much more dangerous to your health than receiving the Boostrix vaccine. However, like any medicine, this vaccine can cause side effects but the risk of serious side effects is extremely low.

Before taking this medicine

You should not receive Boostrix vaccine if:

• you had a life-threatening allergic reaction to any vaccine that contains tetanus, diphtheria, or pertussis; or

• you had a neurologic disorder affecting your brain (such as loss of consciousness or a prolonged seizure) within 7 days after having a previous pertussis vaccine.

You may not be able to receive Boostrix if you have ever received a similar vaccine that caused any of the following:

• a very high fever (over 104 degrees Fahrenheit);

• a neurologic disorder or disease affecting the brain;

• fainting or going into shock;

• severe pain, redness, tenderness, swelling, or a lump where the shot was given;

• an allergy to latex rubber;

• severe or uncontrolled epilepsy or other seizure disorder; or

• Guillain-Barr syndrome (within 6 weeks after receiving a vaccine containing tetanus).

If you have any of these other conditions, your vaccine may need to be postponed or not given at all:

• a history of seizures;

• a weak immune system caused by disease, bone marrow transplant, or by using certain medicines or receiving cancer treatments; or

• if it has been less than 5 years since you last received a tetanus shot.

You can still receive a vaccine if you have a minor cold. In the case of a more severe illness with a fever or any type of infection, wait until you get better before receiving Boostrix.

You may need Boostrix vaccine during the third trimester of pregnancy to protect your newborn baby from pertussis. Young babies are most at risk for severe, life-threatening complications from pertussis. Your doctor should determine whether you need Boostrix during pregnancy.

If you are pregnant, your name may be listed on a pregnancy registry. This is to track the outcome of the pregnancy and to evaluate any effects of the Boostrix on the baby.

It is not known whether Tdap vaccine passes into breast milk or if it could harm a nursing baby. Tell your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.

Boostrix vaccine should not be given to anyone under the age of 10. Another vaccine is available for use in children younger than 10 years old.

How is Boostrix given?

Boostrix vaccine is given as an injection (shot) into a muscle. You will receive this injection in a doctor's office or clinic setting.

An initial dose of Boostrix is administered 5 years or more after the last dose of the Diphtheria and Tetanus Toxoids and Acellular Pertussis (DTaP) series or 5 years or more after a dose of Tetanus and Diphtheria Toxoids Adsorbed (Td).

Boostrix may be administered as an additional dose 9 years or more after the initial dose of Tetanus Toxoid, Reduced Diphtheria Toxoid and Acellular Pertussis Vaccine Adsorbed (Tdap).

Boostrix may be administered for tetanus prophylaxis for wound management. For management of a tetanus-prone wound, a dose of Boostrix may be administered if at least 5 years have elapsed since previous receipt of a tetanus toxoid-containing vaccine.

Related/similar drugs

azithromycin, clarithromycin, Zithromax, Biaxin, Biaxin XL, Daptacel (DTaP), tetanus immune globulin, diphtheria toxoid / pertussis, acellular / tetanus toxoid, Adacel (Tdap), Pediarix

What happens if I miss a dose?

Since this vaccine is usually given only once, you are not likely to miss a dose.

What happens if I overdose?

An overdose of this vaccine is unlikely to occur.

What should I avoid before or after receiving Boostrix?

Follow your doctor's instructions about any restrictions on food, beverages, or activity after receiving Boostrix.

Boostrix side effects

Keep track of any and all side effects you have after receiving Boostrix. If you ever need to receive a booster dose, you will need to tell your doctor if the previous shot caused any side effects.

You should not receive a booster vaccine if you had a life threatening allergic reaction after the first shot.

Becoming infected with diphtheria, pertussis, or tetanus is much more dangerous to your health than receiving this vaccine. However, like any medicine, Boostrix can cause side effects but the risk of serious side effects is extremely low.

Get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic reaction to Boostrix: hives; difficult breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

Call your doctor at once if you have any of these side effects within 7 days after receiving Boostrix:

• numbness, weakness, or tingling in your feet and legs;

• problems with walking or coordination;

• sudden pain in your arms or shoulders;

• a light-headed feeling, like you might pass out;

• vision problems, ringing in your ears;

• seizure (black-out or convulsions); or

• redness, swelling, bleeding, or severe pain where the shot was given.

Common Boostrix side effects may include:

• mild pain or tenderness where the shot was given;

• headache or tiredness;

• body aches; or

• mild nausea, diarrhea, or vomiting.

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report vaccine side effects to the US Department of Health and Human Services at 1-800-822-7967.

What other drugs will affect Boostrix?

Before receiving Boostrix, tell your doctor about all other vaccines you have recently received.

Also tell the doctor if you have recently received drugs or treatments that can weaken the immune system, including:

• an oral, nasal, inhaled, or injectable steroid medicine;

• medications to treat psoriasis, rheumatoid arthritis, or other autoimmune disorders; or

• medicines to treat or prevent organ transplant rejection.

If you are using any of these medications, you may not be able to receive the vaccine, or may need to wait until the other treatments are finished.

This list is not complete. Other drugs may interact with tetanus, diphtheria, and pertussis vaccine, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Not all possible interactions are listed in this medication guide.

Frequently asked questions

• DTaP vs Tdap Vaccines - What's the difference between them?

Further information

Remember, keep this and all other medicines out of the reach of children, never share your medicines with others, and use Boostrix vaccine only for the indication prescribed.

Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances.

Medical Disclaimer

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