Adacel Dosage: An Introduction
There is only one standard dosage for
Adacel® (
Tdap vaccine), although it can be confusing to know when exactly (or if) the vaccine should be given. The following factors will influence the timing of the vaccine:
- Your previous vaccination history
- Your age
- Whether or not you have been exposed to pertussis.
Dosing Recommendations for Adacel
The standard Adacel dosage is one vaccine (0.5 mL) injected one single time in individuals 11 to 64 years of age. Ideally, this will be given between the ages of 11 and 12, although Adacel can be given at any time as long as at least five years has passed since the previous Td (tetanus and diphtheria) booster was given.
In some cases, at the healthcare provider's discretion, Adacel can be given sooner than five years. For instance, if you have been exposed to pertussis, your healthcare provider may decide to give Adacel even if it has not been five years since your last Td.
It is recommended that women receive Adacel immediately after giving birth (if they have not already gotten the
Tdap vaccine earlier), in order to prevent the spread of pertussis to the newborn, as long as at least two years have passed since the previous Td booster.
After being vaccinated with Adacel, it is recommended that people continue to receive the Td vaccine every 10 years (as was previously recommended). Essentially, Adacel replaces one of the Td boosters (for most people).
