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Diptheria Tetanus Vaccine Information

Routine immunization against diphtheria and tetanus has dramatically reduced the incidence of these diseases in the U.S.

  1. Forms of Diphtheria Tetanus Vaccine

    • Vaccine manufacturers always combine diphtheria and tetanus into one shot, or injection, variously packaged as "DTaP," "DT," Tdap," and "Td" vaccines. The "p" in these vaccines stands for pertussis (whooping cough); the presence of pertussis antigens makes the difference between DT and DTaP vaccines (for younger children), and Td and Tdap vaccines (for older children and adults).

      Children up to 7 years of age receive the DT vaccine or the DTaP vaccine. Children 7-9 years receive the Td vaccine if they did not complete their childhood DT/DTaP series. Older children and adults also receive Td vaccine, while people 10 through 64 years of age receive the Tdap vaccine.

    Infants

    • Infants should receive 4 doses of vaccine against diphtheria and pertussis before 18 months of age.

    Older children

    • Children should get a diphtheria-tetanus vaccine booster dose at 4 to 6 years of age. Children who did not complete their infant diphtheria-tetanus series may get "caught up" from ages 7 to 9 with Td vaccine doses.

    Pre-teens

    • At age 11-12, children should receive another dose of diphtheria-tetanus-containing vaccine, generally the Tdap vaccine. For those between 13 to 18 years of age who have not previously received a Tdap vaccination, doctors commonly prescribe one dose of the vaccine.

    Adults

    • People should continue to get diphtheria-tetanus boosters every 10 years throughout their lives. The Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) recommends that one of those booster doses in a person's lifetime contain protection against pertussis (Tdap instead of Td vaccine).

    Efficacy

    • Diphtheria Tetanus vaccine produces an effective immune response in 95% of people who receive vaccinations.

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