The Tdap-IPV vaccine protects against diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis and polio. Adacel®-Polio and Boostrix®-Polio are combination vaccines that protect against four diseases in one needle. They protect almost 100 per cent of children against tetanus and diphtheria and approximately 90 per cent against severe whooping cough.

It is given as a booster vaccine for children four to six years of age. Vaccination against diphtheria, tetanus and polio is required by law for children attending school in Ontario, unless there is a valid exemption.

Protection against tetanus and diphtheria lasts for approximately ten years and protection against pertussis is expected to last for at least four years. To stay protected, teenagers 14 to 16 years of age need a booster dose of tetanus, diphtheria and pertussis (Tdap) vaccine.

Adults should also get one booster dose with diphtheria, tetanus and pertussis; then tetanus and diphtheria vaccine every ten years.

Vaccine Brands

  • Adacel®-Polio
  • Boostrix®-Polio

About Diphtheria, Tetanus, Pertussis & Polio

Diphtheria

Diphtheria is a serious bacterial infection that affects the throat, nose and skin, causing severe health complications like breathing problems, heart failure, and nerve damage. Today, diphtheria is rare due to vaccination.

Tetanus

Tetanus, also known as “lockjaw” is a rare and often fatal infection caused by bacteria found in soil, dust, and animal manure, leading to severe muscle cramps, especially in the jaw, neck and abdomen. The bacteria can enter the body through deep cuts and survive in the soil for long periods. Tetanus occurs worldwide but it is rare in Canada because of vaccination.

Pertussis (Whooping Cough)

Pertussis, or whooping cough, is a disease of the respiratory tract that can infect people of any age, but is most dangerous for children under one year old, especially if they have not started or completed their vaccinations. People can get whooping cough more than once, even after infection or vaccination, because the body’s immune system does not produce life-long protection. Family and friends can get vaccinated to help protect babies.

Polio

Polio is a disease of the spinal cord that can cause nerve damage and paralyze the muscles used for breathing, talking, eating and walking. Polio has been eliminated in Canada due to vaccination. However, poliovirus is still found in other parts of the world and can be re-introduced to Toronto through travel or migration.

Recommendations for Use

  • Children (four to six years of age): should receive one Tdap-IPV booster dose to complete their primary series if they received all their infant vaccines.
  • Children and adolescents (seven to 17 years of age who were not previously immunized or who did not complete their primary series): should receive three doses of Tdap-IPV vaccine. A booster dose of Tdap (tetanus, diphtheria and pertussis) vaccine should be administered ten years after the last dose.
  • Adolescents (up to 17 years of age who did not receive a booster dose before starting Kindergarten): one dose of IPV (Polio) vaccine is required after four years of age regardless of how many IPV vaccines were previously given.
  • Adults (18 years of age and older): individuals who didn’t receive the Tdap vaccine as a child should get the Tdap-IPV vaccine.
  • Individuals who received an oral polio vaccine on or after April 1, 2016: this is not considered valid in Ontario – you may need to receive a dose of IPV vaccine to ensure immunity. Speak with your health care provider for more information.

Vaccine Side Effects & Risks

Side effects are usually mild and go away on their own within a few days. Common side effects include mild redness and swelling/pain where the needle was given.

Few people may have fever, vomiting, headache, diarrhea, nausea, chills, generalized body ache, low energy, and/or sore and swollen joints after getting the vaccine. These reactions are mild and last no more than a few days. Severe allergic and neurological reactions are very rare.

Call your health care provider or 911 if you or your child has any of the symptoms: hives, swelling of the face or mouth, trouble breathing, convulsions or seizure, drowsiness, or any other severe or unexpected symptoms.

Do Not Get This Vaccine If:

  • Under four years of age.
  • You have had a severe allergy or neurological reaction to a previous dose of a vaccine containing diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis and polio. Signs of severe allergy include hives, swelling of the mouth and throat, wheezing, chest tightness, difficulty breathing, difficulty swallowing, hypotension and shock.
  • You have allergies to any part of the vaccines including neomycin, polymyxin B streptomycin, polysorbate 80, Bovine serum albumin, formaldehyde, glutaraldehyde, medium 199 and sodium chloride.
    • Note: Adacel®Polio does not contain latex, Boostrix®-Polio may contain latex.

Delay Vaccination, If You Have:

  • An acute febrile illness more serious than a cold
  • An unstable neurologic disorder
  • A history of Guillain-Barré Syndrome, with no other identified cause, within six weeks of receipt of a previous tetanus-toxoid containing vaccine
  • Had a serious reaction at the injection site following a previous dose of a vaccine containing tetanus and/or diphtheria toxoid-containing vaccine

Updating Your Vaccination Record

After you receive any immunization, make sure your health care provider updates your personal immunization record (yellow card). Parents and guardians are responsible for reporting their school-age child’s immunizations to public health every time their child gets a vaccine.