Tdap-Polio Vaccine

Protection

Tdap-Polio vaccine protects against the following diseases and their complications

Vaccine

Vaccination is the best way to protect yourself against tetanus, diphtheria, whooping cough, polio, and their complications. Children are usually given the Tdap-Polio vaccine before starting school. This vaccine is also given to individuals aged 4 or over who need protection against these 4 diseases.

The combined tetanus, diphtheria, whooping cough and polio vaccine is safe. Most reactions are harmless and do not last long. Symptoms experienced after vaccination are not necessarily caused by the vaccine.

Reactions

Possible reactions to the vaccine:	What to do:
Pain (50% or more), redness and swelling (10-49%) at the injection site Small bump persisting a few weeks at the injection site (1 to 9 per 1,000	Apply a cold, damp compress to the injection site
Fever (10-49% among infants and adolescents, 1-9% of adults) Sterile abscess at the injection site (1 to 9 per 100,000) Headache, fatigue, chills, nausea, diarrhea, muscle pain, joint pain (10-49%) Loss of appetite, vomiting, irritability, drowsiness, skin rash among infants (1-9%) Dizziness, itching, swollen ganglions (1 to 9 per 1,000) Severe pain and weakness in the arm for several weeks (1 to 9 per 100,000)	Take acetaminophen or ibuprofen for temperature of 38.5°C or higher See a doctor if symptoms are severe

Possible reactions to the vaccine:

What to do:

Pain (50% or more), redness and swelling (10-49%) at the injection site
Small bump persisting a few weeks at the injection site (1 to 9 per 1,000

Apply a cold, damp compress to the injection site

Fever (10-49% among infants and adolescents, 1-9% of adults)
Sterile abscess at the injection site (1 to 9 per 100,000)
Headache, fatigue, chills, nausea, diarrhea, muscle pain, joint pain (10-49%)
Loss of appetite, vomiting, irritability, drowsiness, skin rash among infants (1-9%)
Dizziness, itching, swollen ganglions (1 to 9 per 1,000)
Severe pain and weakness in the arm for several weeks (1 to 9 per 100,000)

Take acetaminophen or ibuprofen for temperature of 38.5°C or higher
See a doctor if symptoms are severe

As with any drug or biological product, an allergic reaction may occur. If a severe allergic reaction occurs, it begins within minutes and the person administering the vaccine will be able to treat it. That is why you are advised to remain at the clinic for at least 15 minutes after the vaccine is administered.

If you have any questions, ask the person administering the vaccine or contact Info-Santé (8-1-1) or your doctor.

To learn more

For more information about the Tdap-Polio vaccine, you can consult:

Back to regular vaccination schedule.