Types of Diphtheria Vaccines

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

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

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

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

Tdap vaccines

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

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.