Tdap vs DTaP: Difference and Comparison

Vaccines are a safe and extremely efficient method of disease prevention. Tdap and DTaP are two widely used vaccinations. They are combination vaccinations, which means they include many immunizations in a single dose. 

They are mainly used for immunity against diphtheria, tetanus, and whooping cough.

Their main differences lie in the number of doses that are required to be administered and the recommended age of administration.

Key Takeaways

  1. Tdap stands for Tetanus, Diphtheria, and Pertussis, while DTaP stands for Diphtheria, Tetanus, and Pertussis.
  2. Tdap is a booster vaccine for adolescents and adults, while DTaP is given to infants and young children.
  3. Tdap has a lower concentration of diphtheria and pertussis antigens than DTaP, which makes it safer for older individuals.

Tdap vs DTaP 

DTAP is a vaccine that is given to infants and young children to protect against diphtheria, tetanus, and pertussis. TDAP is a booster vaccine that is given to individuals who have already received the DTAP vaccine to provide additional protection against tetanus, diphtheria, and pertussis.

Tdap vs DTaP

Tdap is a booster vaccination given to adolescents beginning at the age of ten and adults to offer continuing protection against diphtheria, tetanus, and whooping cough. It is marketed under the brand names Adacel and Boostrix. 

Tdap vaccination might cause pain, redness, or swelling during the injection, mild fever, headache, weariness, nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, or stomachache. 

DTaP is a vaccination that helps provide immunity against 3 diseases and is administered in 4 to 5 doses per the doctor’s instructions. It is marketed under the brand names Daptacel and Infanrix.

It can be administered to kids between 6 weeks and 6 years old.   

Comparison Table

Parameters of Comparison Tdap DTaP 
Vaccine Name Tetanus diphtheria (acellular) pertussis Diphtheria Tetanus (acellular) Pertussis 
Age 11 years of age and above. 6 weeks through 6 years. 
Doses needed 1 dose 4 to 5 doses. 
Brand Adacel, Boostrix Daptacel, Infanrix 
Purpose Boosts immunity against 3 diseases. Provides immunity against the 3 diseases. 
Side Effects Pain, redness, swelling, headache, tiredness, etc. Fever, swelling, soreness, loss of appetite, etc. 

What is Tdap? 

There is a booster vaccination that comprises tetanus and diphtheria (called Td), but because protection against pertussis fades more slowly, the vaccine Tdap was created.

In 2005, older children and adults were able to receive Tdap immunization. Your doctor will choose whether a booster (Td or Tdap) is best for you. 

Tdap contains inactivated forms of the toxin generated by bacteria that causes these three disorders.

The word “inactivated” alludes to the fact that the toxin no longer causes illness but does stimulate the production of antibodies that confer protection against the toxin. 

Despite the fact that it protects against the same diseases as DTaP, the vaccine doses in Tdap are less than those in DTaP since it is only administered as a booster dose.  

Tdap is an acronym for: 

  • Tetanus is abbreviated here as T 
  • Diphtheria is abbreviated here as D. 
  • Pertussis is abbreviated here as P. 

Adacel and Boostrix are two brand names for Tdap. The suggested timing for Tdap booster vaccination is as follows: 

  • around 11 or 12 years 
  • every 10 years after the initial dose

Pregnant women should have a Tdap vaccine between weeks 27 and 36 of their pregnancy. 

What is DTaP? 

The DTaP vaccination protects infants aged 6 weeks to less than 7 years from three potentially lethal bacterial illnesses. The abbreviation DTaP stands for three diseases: 

  • Diphtheria is abbreviated here as D. 
  • Tetanus is abbreviated here as T. 
  • Pertussis is abbreviated here as P. (This is the medical term for whooping cough). 

The toxin produced by the microorganisms that cause these three illnesses is rendered inactive by DTaP.

The word “inactivated” alludes to the fact that the toxin no longer causes illness but does stimulate the production of antibodies that confer protection against the toxin. 

DTaP is marketed under the brand names Daptacel and Infanrix. 

DTaP is only available to children under the age of seven. Vaccinations like Tdap are available only for older children, adolescents, and adults. The proposed period for DTaP is as follows: 

  • at 2 months, 4 months, and 6 months 
  • between 15 months and 18 months 
  • between 4 years and 6 years 

After receiving DTaP immunisation, some people have soreness or swelling, fever, fussiness, fatigue, lack of appetite, and vomiting.

Seizures, continuous crying for three hours or longer, or a high temperature (above 105°F) following DTaP immunization are far less common.

Vaccination seldom results in extensive arm or leg swelling, particularly in older children getting their fourth or fifth dose. 

Main Differences Between Tdap and DTaP 

  1. Tdap stands for Tetanus diphtheria (acellular) pertussis, whereas DTaP stands for Diphtheria Tetanus (acellular) Pertussis. 
  2. Tdap is administered to people who are 11 years of age or older to help boost their immunity. On the other hand, DTaP is administered to children 6 weeks to 6 years old to help provide immunity. 
  3. Tdap is administered in a single dose, and DTaP is administered in 4 to 5 doses. 
  4. Tdap is under the brand names Adacel and Boostrix, whereas DTaP is under the brand names Daptacel and Infanrix. 
  5. Tdap helps in boosting immunity against 3 diseases diphtheria, tetanus, and whooping cough, and DTaP helps provide immunity against the 3 diseases these vaccines work against. 
  6. Some of the side effects of Tdap may include pain, redness, or swelling in the area of the vaccination, headache, muscle ache, swollen glands, upset stomach, vomiting, nausea, tiredness, etc. Some of the side effects of DTaP include soreness, swelling, fussiness, vomiting, seizures, fever, loss of appetite, etc. 
Difference Between Tdap and DTaP
References
  1. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0264410X1930893X 
  2. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0264410X20304588 

Last Updated : 11 June, 2023

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