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Vaccine product guide

ADACEL

Tdap · Tetanus, diphtheria, pertussis, polio, Hib (DTaP / Tdap / Td)

Health Canada DIN 02240255. Check the product and formulation on your record before using a schedule.

Plan doses for this product →
DIN
02240255
Family
DTaP / Tdap / Td
Guidance checked
2026-09-27
← All Tetanus, diphtheria, pertussis, polio, Hib (DTaP / Tdap / Td) products

About this vaccine

Adacel is a vaccine that helps protect you against three serious diseases: tetanus, diphtheria, and whooping cough.

ADACEL is listed under Health Canada DIN 02240255. The product record and monograph below describe this formulation; the dose schedule comes from the Canadian Immunization Guide.

At a glance

Brand
ADACEL
DIN
02240255
Vaccine
Tdap
Presentation
0.5 mL · suspension · intramuscular · 4 to 64 years
Live vaccine
No

Age and suitability depend on the product, the person and the reason for vaccination. Use the planner for a starting point and confirm with a healthcare professional.

Official sources

Use the DIN to confirm this exact product in Health Canada's Drug Product Database.

Health CanadaMonograph PDF

A listed product may not be stocked or publicly funded.

Before and after your vaccination

  • Bring your immunization record if you have one, so earlier doses can be checked.
  • Tell the healthcare professional about a serious reaction to a previous vaccine or an ingredient, and mention any health conditions or medicines that could affect your vaccination.
  • After the dose, stay where you can be observed for at least 15 minutes. Tell someone right away if you feel faint or develop symptoms of an allergic reaction.
  • Keep a record of the vaccine name, date and dose you received.

These steps come from the Canadian Immunization Guide's administration practices and acute reactions guidance.

Practical guidance for ADACEL

The details below are adapted from a Pharmasist patient handout linked to the same product monograph. The current Canadian Immunization Guide determines the dose schedules shown later.

What this vaccine helps prevent

  • Adacel is a vaccine that helps protect you against three serious diseases: tetanus, diphtheria, and whooping cough.
  • It is given as a booster shot to keep your protection strong after your earlier childhood vaccines.
  • It can also be used as part of a wound care plan if you have not had a tetanus shot in several years.

What to mention before a dose

  • Tell your healthcare professional, doctor, or nurse if you have ever had a serious allergic reaction to a tetanus, diphtheria, or pertussis vaccine.
  • Tell them if you have a bleeding problem or take blood thinners.
  • Tell them if you have a nerve or brain condition, such as uncontrolled seizures.
  • Tell them if you have ever been diagnosed with Guillain-Barre syndrome, a nerve condition, after a past vaccine.
  • Tell them if you have a fever or are feeling quite unwell right now, since your vaccine may need to be delayed.

How it is given

  • This vaccine is given as a single shot into a muscle, usually in your upper arm, by a doctor, healthcare professional, or nurse.
  • You do not take this at home, and there is nothing for you to swallow or apply yourself.
  • Booster shots like this one are usually repeated every five to ten years, or as recommended by your healthcare team.

Important things to know

  • This vaccine cannot protect everyone who gets it.
  • Rarely, people have developed a nerve problem called Guillain-Barre syndrome, weakness in the muscles of the face, or spinal cord inflammation after this type of vaccine. Tell your care team right away if you notice new weakness, numbness, or trouble moving after your shot.
  • Rarely, a heart muscle problem called myocarditis has been reported after this vaccine.

Effects you may notice

  • Soreness, redness, or swelling where you got the shot is very common.
  • Feeling tired is common.
  • Headache is common.
  • Muscle aches are common, especially in older adults.
  • An upset stomach, including nausea, diarrhea, or vomiting, can happen.
  • A mild fever or chills can happen.
  • Sore or swollen joints can happen.
  • Swollen glands near the injection site can happen.
  • Loss of appetite and rash are common in young children.

When to contact a healthcare professional

  • Contact your healthcare professional if swelling at the injection site becomes large, spreads past the nearest joint, or keeps getting worse.
  • Contact your healthcare professional if a fever is high or does not go away.
  • Contact your healthcare professional if you notice unusual tingling, numbness, or facial drooping in the days or weeks after your shot.

When to get emergency help

  • Get emergency help if you have swelling of the face, lips, or throat.
  • Get emergency help for trouble breathing.
  • Get emergency help for a widespread rash or hives all over the body.
  • Get emergency help for new weakness, numbness, or trouble moving an arm or leg.
  • Get emergency help for a seizure or fainting that does not quickly clear up.

Other medicines and vaccines

  • Food and drink do not affect this vaccine in any way.
  • Tell your healthcare professional or doctor about any other medicines you take, including ones that weaken your immune system, since these can sometimes make the vaccine work less well.
  • This vaccine can usually be given at the same visit as a flu shot or, in some younger patients, a hepatitis B vaccine, but in a different arm or injection site.

Key points to remember

  • Bring your immunization record to your appointment so your care team can keep it up to date.
  • Stay at the clinic for a short period after your shot, as advised by your care team, in case of a reaction.
  • Keep your future booster appointments to stay fully protected.

The practical points are adapted from the Pharmasist reference for ADACEL and its matching product monograph.

Dose schedules

These are Canadian Immunization Guide schedules associated with this DIN. The right schedule depends on age, health, prior doses and reason for vaccination. Public health recommendations may differ from a product monograph's authorized schedule.

Tdap — adolescent booster at 14 to 16 years

1 dose

One Tdap dose at 14 to 16 years as the first 10-year booster.

Tdap vaccine should be administered to adolescents at 14 to 16 years of age as the first 10-year booster dose after the childhood series.

Tdap — adult booster, one dose

1 dose

One Tdap dose in adulthood, then Td or Tdap every 10 years.

Every adult should receive one Tdap dose if not previously immunized against pertussis as an adult, then Td (or Tdap) every 10 years. Also given to adults who will be in close contact with infants. Children 7 to 13 who missed the childhood series follow a catch-up schedule.

Tdap in pregnancy — one dose every pregnancy

1 dose

One Tdap dose in every pregnancy, ideally between 27 and 32 weeks.

Recommended in every pregnancy regardless of previous Tdap, ideally at 27 to 32 weeks of gestation to protect the newborn. Immunization between 13 and 26 weeks may be considered when preterm delivery or travel is anticipated.

Td / Tdap — primary series for people 7 and older never immunized

3 doses

Three doses at 0, 1 to 2 months and 6 to 12 months; Tdap for the first dose.

For people 7 years and older with no or unknown tetanus/diphtheria immunization. Dose 1 is Tdap, then Td at 1 to 2 months and 6 to 12 months (minimum 4 weeks between doses 1 and 2, 6 months between doses 2 and 3). Polio vaccine is added if that series is also incomplete.

Check your dose plan →

Pregnancy and breastfeeding

Family guidance on pregnancy: Tdap is recommended in every pregnancy, irrespective of immunization history, ideally at 27 to 32 weeks. Polio (IPV) may be considered for a non-immune person at increased risk; Hib when a predisposing condition is present.

Family guidance on breastfeeding: Tdap is recommended if no adult dose has been given; polio and Hib are used if indicated.

This guidance applies to the vaccine family. Confirm this product's details in the monograph and with your clinician. Immunization in pregnancy and breastfeeding: Canadian Immunization Guide — Chapter updated August 2026.

References and product information

General information only. A suggested date is not an appointment or a prescription; a healthcare professional confirms what you need. Clinical rules reviewed on 2026-09-27.

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