The DTaP and Tdap Vaccines
DTaP and Tdap are two similar vaccines that protect against diphtheria, tetanus and pertussis:
- Diphtheria is a nose and throat infection. It creates a toxin that kills healthy tissue and can cause serious health problems, including death.
- Tetanus is an infection caused by a common bacteria found in the environment. It is a serious health condition that requires immediate hospitalization. It can cause severe muscle spasms, lockjaw and heart problems. Tetanus vaccines have reduced infant deaths by 95% in the last 30 years.
- Pertussis (“whooping cough”) is a bad cough that starts like a cold but can last for weeks or months. It is very contagious and spreads easily to others. It can cause hernias and cracked ribs. In babies, it can cause breathing problems and death.
Vaccines for diphtheria, tetanus and pertussis have been available since the 1920s, and the combined vaccine has been available since the 1940s. The combined vaccine reduces the number of shots your child needs.
North Carolina Requirements for Children and College/University Students
The DTaP or Tdap vaccines are needed to enter child care programs, K-12 schools, and colleges and universities in North Carolina.
DTaP is given to babies and young children, and Tdap is given to older children and adults. They offer the same protection but have different formulations that work best for each age group. The Td vaccine is also sometimes given to adults, and it protects against tetanus and diphtheria.
Children need up to five doses of DTaP to enter kindergarten, usually spread out over four years:
- Three doses before age 7 months.
- A booster before age 19 months.
- A second booster around age 4, before going to school for the first time.
Students need a Tdap booster at 11 to 12 years old, before entering 7th grade, if they have not previously received it.
Students starting college or university in North Carolina must have gotten three doses of a tetanus/diphtheria (Td) containing vaccine, at least one of which must be tetanus, diphtheria and pertussis (Tdap). If not, they are required to get them.
See the official details of North Carolina's dosage requirements, including the diphtheria, tetanus and pertussis vaccines.
Recommended Doses for Others
Adults are recommended to get a tetanus booster (Tdap or Td) every ten years.
Side Effects
The DTaP and Tdap vaccines, like all vaccines, can cause side effects. Most of them are mild and temporary.
If side effects happen from the DTaP or Tdap vaccines, they most often include soreness or swelling where the vaccine is given, or mild fever, fussiness, tiredness, loss of appetite or vomiting.
Trustworthy Resources for More Information
- Diphtheria, Tetanus and Pertussis: The Disease and Vaccines (Children's Hospital of Philadelphia)
- History of Whooping Cough (Pertussis) (Mayo Clinic)
- Pertussis Cases by Year (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention)
- Fast Facts: Tetanus Vaccine (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention)
- DTaP Vaccine Information Sheet (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention)
- Tdap Vaccine Information Sheet (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention)
Have questions about vaccines for your children?
As a parent, you want to make the best choices for your children. Doctors recommend vaccines because they protect your child from serious, preventable diseases. Many of these illnesses have no cure, so prevention is the best defense.
Vaccines are thoroughly tested, and serious side effects are extremely rare. Millions of children are safely vaccinated each year.
If you have questions, get real answers. Start a conversation with your doctor today.