Your child is offered vaccines against tetanus, diphtheria and pertussis (whooping cough) as a baby and in junior infants in primary school.
The protection the vaccines give weakens over time. To top up their immunity, children are offered a booster dose in their first year of secondary school.
This vaccine is called the Tdap (tetanus, diphtheria and pertussis) booster vaccine.
Who should get the Tdap vaccine
The Tdap vaccine is recommended for children in their first year of secondary school. It is free through our School Vaccination Programme.
Students in special schools or home-schooling are also offered the vaccine.
If your child misses getting their vaccine at school, they can still get it. Contact the school vaccination team at your local immunisation office.
Other people who may be recommended the Tdap vaccine
The Tdap vaccine is recommended during every pregnancy to protect against pertussis (whooping cough).
Vaccines needed during pregnancy
Who should not get the Tdap vaccine
Very few people should not get the Tdap vaccine.
People should not get the vaccine if they had a severe allergic reaction (anaphylaxis) to:
- a previous dose of diphtheria, tetanus, or pertussis (whooping cough) vaccines
- any of the ingredients of the Tdap vaccine
Tdap vaccine ingredients
The Tdap vaccine used in the school programme is called Boostrix.
Check the patient information leaflet for details about the vaccine, including ingredients and side effects.
Non-urgent advice: Find your patient information leaflet
Your patient information leaflet is the leaflet that comes with your medicine. You can find a digital version of the leaflet online.
How the Tdap vaccine is given
The Tdap vaccine is given as an injection, usually in the upper arm.
Getting the Tdap vaccine with other vaccines
First-year students get the Tdap vaccine i the same visit as the:
- HPV vaccine
- MenACWY vaccine
Tdap vaccine side effects
Like all medicines, the Tdap vaccine can cause side effects. The most common side effects are mild and usually last for around 24 to 48 hours.
Common side effects include:
- pain, redness, swelling or hardness in the arm where the vaccine was given
- headache
- irritability
- fever
- loss of appetite
- nausea
- vomiting
- diarrhoea
- tiredness
If your child feels uncomfortable, you can give them paracetamol or ibuprofen. Follow the instructions on the box or leaflet.
Severe allergic reaction
Severe allergic reactions to vaccines are very rare. Vaccinators are trained to deal with allergic reactions and treat them immediately.
If you are worried, contact:
- the school vaccination team at your local immunisation office
- your GP
- a GP out-of-hours service
Emergency action required: Call 112 or 999 if:
- you think you or someone else is having a severe allergic reaction
How we know the Tdap vaccine is safe
The Tdap vaccine has a strong safety record. It is used in national immunisation programmes in many countries.
Vaccine safety is monitored in Ireland by the:
- Health Products Regulatory Authority (HPRA)
- European Medicines Agency (EMA)