What should you know about the pertussis Tdap vaccine?

Tdap is a combination vaccine. The letters refer to tetanus, reduced-dose diphtheria, and acellular pertussis. It trains the immune system to recognise the bacteria that causes whooping cough without causing the infection. Protection can fade, so a clinician may recommend a booster according to age, previous doses, pregnancy, work, travel, or local immunisation guidance.

Vaccination lowers the chance of severe illness, but a vaccinated person can still develop a cough or pass infection on. Learn more about [Whooping Cough](/conditions/whooping-cough/) and [Cough](/symptoms/cough/).

Bring your vaccination record to a clinic and ask which dose is due. Tell the vaccinator about pregnancy, a weakened immune system, serious allergies, or a previous reaction to a vaccine. After the injection, soreness, tiredness, headache, or a mild temperature can occur for a short time. Rest, drink fluids, and use only a medicine your clinician says is suitable for you. Tdap does not replace assessment or treatment if you already have suspected whooping cough; [Antibiotic Treatment](/treatments/medical-management/antibiotic-treatment/) may be considered by a clinician.

Seek urgent medical help for trouble breathing, blue or grey lips, fainting, severe swelling of the face or throat, or a seizure after vaccination. Contact a clinician promptly for a severe or worsening reaction, or for a cough with vomiting, pauses in breathing, or exhaustion. A [Fever](/symptoms/fever/) can have many causes; its severity and associated symptoms matter more than the temperature alone.

Which Tdap dose fits my history? How long should I expect local soreness? What should I do if I have a cough after vaccination? Is [Childhood Immunisation](/treatments/preventive-care-and-vaccination/childhood-immunisation/) relevant for a child in my family?