Tetanus, diphtheria and polio vaccine for adults

Tetanus can enter through contaminated wounds, diphtheria can affect the throat and breathing, and polio can damage the nervous system. A combined vaccine helps the immune system remember all three diseases in one appointment when that formulation is appropriate.

An adult may need catch-up vaccination, a booster, or advice after travel, an injury, uncertain childhood records, or a change in health circumstances. The decision depends on your vaccination history and current risk, so an old or incomplete record does not have to be guessed.

Take any vaccine record to the clinic and mention allergies, a previous serious reaction, pregnancy, immune problems, medicines, or a current illness. If you have a wound, explain when it happened, how deep or dirty it is, and whether foreign material may remain. Wound care and vaccination decisions can be separate from antibiotic treatment.

After the injection, move the arm gently and drink fluids if you feel tired. A sore arm, mild fever or headache may settle without treatment. Ask a pharmacist or clinician which pain relief is suitable for you, especially if you have other conditions or take regular medicines.

Get urgent help for breathing difficulty, swelling of the lips or throat, widespread hives, collapse or rapidly worsening weakness after vaccination. For a wound, seek prompt assessment if it is deep, heavily contaminated, numb, difficult to move, or becoming red and swollen. A sore throat with breathing or swallowing difficulty also needs urgent care; general information is available under [Sore Throat](/symptoms/sore-throat/).

Ask whether you need a combined vaccine or a different formulation, how your record changes the plan, whether another appointment is needed, and what protection is advised before travel. If vaccination follows an injury, ask about wound cleaning, tetanus protection and warning signs of infection.