tetanus toxoid + diphtheria toxoid + acellular pertussis

This combination vaccine, commonly referred to as Tdap or DTaP, is designed for active immunization against tetanus, diphtheria, and pertussis. It contains inactivated toxins (toxoids) derived from *Clostridium tetani* and *Corynebacterium diphtheriae*, along with purified acellular components of *Bordetella pertussis*, such as pertussis toxoid, filamentous hemagglutinin, and pertactin. Unlike earlier whole-cell vaccines, the acellular pertussis component offers a improved safety profile with reduced reactogenicity. DTaP is typically used for the primary pediatric vaccination series in children under seven, whereas Tdap is formulated with reduced antigen concentrations (indicated by the lowercase 'd' and 'p') for use as a booster in adolescents and adults. The vaccine works by stimulating the immune system to produce neutralizing antibodies and establish immunological memory against the respective bacterial toxins and surface proteins.

Other names

Tdap vaccineDTaP vaccineDTPaTetanus-Diphtheria-acellular Pertussis vaccineTdapDTaP