At what age is the Tdap (Tetanus, diphtheria, and pertussis) vaccine administered?

Tdap Vaccine Administration Age Guidelines

The Tdap (Tetanus, diphtheria, and pertussis) vaccine is routinely recommended for adolescents at age 11-12 years as a single dose, regardless of previous vaccination history. 1

Vaccination Schedule by Age Group

Children Under 7 Years

• Children under 7 years receive DTaP (not Tdap) as part of their primary vaccination series
• DTaP is administered at:
  • 2 months
  • 4 months
  • 6 months
  • 15-18 months
  • 4-6 years
• The minimum age for the fourth dose of DTaP is 12 months 2

Adolescents (11-12 Years)

• A single dose of Tdap is recommended at age 11-12 years
• This dose should be administered even if the child previously received all recommended DTaP doses 1
• If Tdap was inadvertently administered to a fully vaccinated child aged 7-10 years, the adolescent Tdap dose should still be given at age 11-12 years 2

Catch-up Vaccination for Older Children and Adolescents

• For persons aged 7-18 years who are not fully immunized:
  • Tdap should be given as the first dose in the catch-up series
  • If additional doses are needed, either Td or Tdap may be used 2
• The vaccination series does not need to be restarted regardless of the time elapsed between doses 2

Adults (≥19 Years)

• Adults who have never been vaccinated against pertussis, tetanus, or diphtheria should receive:
  • 1 dose of Tdap (preferably as first dose)
  • Followed by 1 dose of either Td or Tdap at least 4 weeks later
  • And 1 dose of either Td or Tdap 6-12 months after the second dose 2

Special Considerations

Pregnancy

• Tdap is recommended during each pregnancy, preferably between 27-36 weeks gestation
• This recommendation applies regardless of prior vaccination history 3
• Early administration within the 27-36 week window is preferred to maximize maternal antibody response and passive transfer to the newborn 3

Older Adults (≥65 Years)

• Either Tdap product is considered valid for adults ≥65 years
• Boostrix is preferred as it's specifically approved for this age group, but Adacel is also acceptable 1

Administration Guidelines

• Tdap is administered as a 0.5 mL intramuscular injection
• Preferred site is the deltoid muscle 2
• May be administered simultaneously with other vaccines at different anatomical sites 2

Common Pitfalls to Avoid

1. Confusing DTaP and Tdap: DTaP is for children under 7 years, while Tdap is for individuals 7 years and older 2

2. Missing the adolescent dose: Even if a child received Tdap between ages 7-10 years as part of catch-up vaccination, they should still receive the routine adolescent dose at age 11-12 years 2

3. Delaying vaccination: Delaying Tdap vaccination leaves adolescents vulnerable to pertussis, which can be particularly dangerous for infants they may contact 1

4. Overlooking pregnant women: Each pregnancy requires a Tdap dose regardless of prior vaccination history to protect the newborn 3

5. Waiting too long between doses: For catch-up vaccination, the series does not need to be restarted regardless of time elapsed between doses 2