At one time, diphtheria disease was very common in Canada and tetanus (or lockjaw) caused deaths every year. There was little you could do to prevent getting the bacteria that caused these diseases.
But, as vaccines were developed, lives have been saved. Each vaccine contains a tiny amount of the bacteria that causes the disease. But this germ has been changed so that it cannot give you the disease. Vaccines protect people at the time they are most likely to get the diseases and usually for many years after.
Td vaccine is given by needle.
Who needs the Td booster?
This vaccine is recommended for young people in Alberta who are between 14 and 16 years old and for older adults. It provides extra protection against the diseases of tetanus and diphtheria.
The Td booster is actually the last in a "series" of vaccines given to babies and young children to protect them against several childhood diseases. When children get the entire series, they have about 92 - 98 percent protection against the diseases of diphtheria, pertussis (whooping cough), tetanus, Hib and polio.
To provide lifelong protection, you should receive a Td booster every 10 years.
What are the side effects of the Td vaccine?
After your booster shot you may have:
- a slight fever; or
- redness or swelling in the area where you got the needle.
You should not have the Td vaccine without checking with your doctor first if you:
- have serious medical problems; or
- have had serious reactions to DPT, DT or Td vaccines.
Taking a vaccine does present risks for some people who may have allergic or other reactions. But, these risks are very small when you consider what happens if you get any of these diseases.
More about the diseases
is a disease caused by bacteria that infects the nose and throat so that you have trouble breathing. It can also cause skin or ear infections. The bacteria also produces a poison that can cause paralysis or heart damage. About one person in every ten who gets diphtheria dies.
Tetanus, or lockjaw can happen when tetanus bacteria gets into sores and scratches on your body. The bacteria makes a poison which is absorbed by the body's muscles and causes severe spasms and makes it difficult to breathe. Even with modern medicine, six out of every ten people who get tetanus die.
For more information
This vaccine is given free at your local health unit.
If you would like to know more about these vaccines or diseases, please contact the nurse at your local health unit.
If you get sick during the two weeks after being vaccinated and have to visit a doctor, hospital or clinic, please let one of the nurses at the health unit you visited know.
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