Key points
- CDC recommends diphtheria vaccination for babies, children, preteens, and adults.
- Talk to your or your child's healthcare or vaccine provider if you have questions about diphtheria vaccines.
Vaccines your family may need
There are three types of combination vaccines that protect against diphtheria: DTaP, Tdap, and Td.
Babies and children younger than 7 years old receive DTaP, while older children and adults receive Tdap and Td.
Babies and children
Babies
Babies need 3 shots of DTaP to build up high levels of protection against diphtheria. CDC recommends these shots at the following ages:
- 2 months
- 4 months
- 6 months
Children
Children need 2 booster shots of DTaP at the following ages to maintain that protection through early childhood:
- 15 through 18 months
- 4 through 6 years
Preteens and teens
Preteens should get one shot of Tdap between the ages of 11 and 12 years to boost their immunity. Teens who didn’t get Tdap as a preteen should get one shot the next time they visit their healthcare provider.
Adults
To maintain protection, CDC recommends all adults get vaccinated against diphtheria every 10 years. Once an adult has received a dose of Tdap, they can get Td or Tdap for their booster doses