Tetanus-Diphtheria-Pertussis Vaccines
-- Superseded Information -- HISTORICAL USE ONLY -- See Current Information --
Combined Tdap/Td Vaccine Information Statement
November 20, 2008 -- The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) published a new interim Vaccine Information Statement (VIS) that can be used for both tetanus-diphtheria-pertussis (Tdap) and tetanus-diphtheria (Td) vaccines and is now available. It replaces the Tdap VIS dated July 12, 2006 and the Td VIS dated June 10, 1994. These older VIS forms may still be used until stocks are depleted.
By Federal law, all vaccine providers must give patients, their parents, and/or legal representatives the appropriate VIS whenever a vaccination is given. As needed, providers should supplement VISs orally, with videotapes, with additional printed material, or in any other way that will help recipients understand the disease and vaccine. Sufficient time should be allotted to review the VIS and discuss:
- Benefits of the vaccines
- Diseases they prevent
- Any contraindications or possible known risks from the vaccines
- What to expect following the immunization
A contact number should be provided to the parent or guardian in the event there are questions or medical concerns.
The new VIS is available at http://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/pubs/vis/downloads/vis-td-tdap.pdf. For the latest information concerning VIS updates, visit the CDC's VIS News website. Many VISs are available in other languages. As new editions are translated, they are also posted on the Immunization Action Coalition's website.
