June 26, 2024

Types of Diphtheria Vaccines

Diphtheria vaccines are combined with tetanus and sometimes whooping cough (pertussis) vaccines.
Diphtheria vaccines work well but protection decreases over time.
Due to vaccination, diphtheria is now nearly unheard of in the United States.
Talk to a vaccine provider if you have questions about these vaccines.

Types

All diphtheria vaccines are combined with components that provide protection against other diseases too:

DTaP: Diphtheria, tetanus, and whooping cough (pertussis)
Tdap: Tetanus, diphtheria, and whooping cough
Td: Tetanus and diphtheria

Available vaccines

DTaP vaccines

Vaccine providers give up to 5 DTaP shots to babies and young children.

In addition to diphtheria, tetanus, and whooping cough, some brands provide protection against other diseases like:

Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib)
Hepatitis b
Polio

DAPTACEL^®

Use: All 5 shots
Ages: 6 weeks through 6 years

Infanrix^®

Use: All 5 shots
Ages: 6 weeks through 6 years

Kinrix^®

Use: Fifth shot only
Ages: 4 through 6 years
Other diseases: Polio

Pediarix^®

Use: First 3 shots
Ages: 6 weeks through 4 years
Other diseases: Hepatitis B and polio

Pentacel^®

Use: First 4 shots
Ages: 6 weeks through 4 years
Other diseases: Invasive Hib disease and polio

Quadracel^®

Use: Fifth shot only
Ages: 4 through 6 years
Other diseases: Polio

Vaxelis^™

Use: First 3 shots
Ages: 6 weeks through less than 1 year
Other diseases: Hepatitis B, invasive Hib disease, and polio

Tdap vaccines

There are 2 Tdap brands: Adacel^® and Boostrix^®.

Vaccine providers give Tdap to people 7 years or older:

As a preteen or teen
During pregnancy
As a booster every 10 years (Td is another option for these boosters)
As part of a 3-shot series for those never vaccinated
To complete the childhood vaccine series if needed

Td vaccine

There is 1 Td brand: TENIVAC^®.

Vaccine providers give this vaccine to people 7 years or older

As a booster every 10 years (Tdap is another option for these boosters)
As part of a 3-shot series for those never vaccinated
To complete the childhood vaccine series if needed
In some cases, as part of wound management
In the rare situation someone has a contraindication to pertussis-containing vaccine

How well they work

Diphtheria vaccines work well but protection decreases over time. They protect nearly everyone (97 in 100) who is fully vaccinated against diphtheria for up to 10 years.