Adacel Polio (Diphtheria, Tetanus, Pertussis, And Polio Vaccine)
Complete patient guide for uses, dosage, side effects, and safety information
Prescription RequiredQuick Facts
What Is Adacel Polio Used For?
Adacel Polio is a vaccine that helps protect you or your child against four serious diseases: whooping cough (pertussis), tetanus, diphtheria, and polio. It’s designed as a booster shot for people who have already received their childhood immunizations.
Primary Uses
This vaccine is used as a booster in adults, adolescents, and children aged four years and older who have previously received childhood immunization. It helps maintain protection against whooping cough, tetanus, diphtheria, and polio. When given during pregnancy, it allows antibodies to be passed to the baby to protect them from whooping cough during their first few months of life.
How It Works
Adacel Polio works by causing your body to produce its own protection against these diseases. It does this by making substances called antibodies in the blood, which fight the bacteria and toxins that cause these diseases. If you come into contact with these bacteria and toxins after vaccination, your body is usually ready to destroy them. It typically takes several weeks after vaccination to develop full protection.
Good to know: The vaccine will not give you or your child any of these diseases. Most people will produce enough antibodies for protection, though 100% protection cannot be guaranteed.
How to Take Adacel Polio
Adacel Polio is given as a single injection by a healthcare professional. You don’t need to do anything special to prepare for the vaccination.
Dosage Instructions
The dose is a single injection of 0.5mL given into your upper arm muscle by a doctor or nurse. Adacel Polio is generally given whenever a booster dose of tetanus and diphtheria is required and where a booster dose of whooping cough and polio is considered necessary.
Important: Keep an updated record of your vaccinations after receiving Adacel Polio.
Side Effects
Like all medications, this medicine can cause side effects. Most are mild and temporary, but some require medical attention.
Common Side Effects
These side effects occur relatively frequently and usually don’t require emergency care:
- Local reaction around injection site (bruising, redness, itchiness, tenderness, pain, warmth, swelling, hard lumps)
- Rash
- Headaches
- Tiredness, weakness or fatigue
- Fever
- Rigors
- Muscle soreness, aching, tenderness or weakness
- Joint pain or swelling
- Irritability
- Nausea and vomiting
- Diarrhea
Seek immediate medical attention if you experience:
- Sudden signs of allergy (red itchy rash, hives, swelling of face/lips/tongue, shortness of breath, wheezing)
- Temporary inflammation of nerves causing pain, weakness, and paralysis
- Severe pain and decreased mobility of arm and shoulder
- Fits or convulsion
- Fainting
- Inflammation of spinal column
- Tingling or numbness of hands or decreased feeling in vaccinated arm
- Paralyzed nerve in the face
- Dizziness
- Generally feeling unwell
- Pale skin
- Stomach pain
- Large reactions at injection site (larger than 5 cm) with extensive limb swelling
Important Warnings
Before receiving Adacel Polio, it’s important to tell your healthcare provider about your medical history and any conditions you may have.
Who Should Not Take Adacel Polio
Do not receive Adacel Polio if you or your child: have ever had an allergic reaction to Adacel Polio or any of its ingredients; had an allergic reaction to another vaccine for pertussis, tetanus, diphtheria or polio; had serious brain disease without an apparent cause within 7 days of a previous pertussis, tetanus or diphtheria vaccination. This vaccine is not recommended for children under 4 years old.
Medical Conditions to Discuss
Tell your doctor if you or your child: have a poor or reduced immune system due to medication or diseases; have a progressive illness affecting the brain/nerves or uncontrolled fits; are suffering from an illness; have a bleeding problem or bruise easily; have ever fainted from an injection; have not previously received the complete course of tetanus and diphtheria vaccination.
Pregnancy and Breastfeeding
Tell your doctor if you are pregnant, breastfeeding, think you might be pregnant, or are planning to have a baby. Your doctor will help you decide if you should receive Adacel Polio during pregnancy. The vaccine may be given during pregnancy for prevention of pertussis in young infants.
Drug Interactions
Tell your doctor or pharmacist about all medicines you are taking, including prescription medicines, vitamins, and supplements you buy without a prescription.
- Tell your doctor if you or your child has had any vaccines in the last 4 weeks
- Your doctor will advise if Adacel Polio can be given with another vaccine
- Medicines that affect the immune system may interfere with the vaccine’s effectiveness
Alcohol & Driving
Adacel Polio should not normally interfere with your daily activities, but some people may experience certain effects that could impact their ability to drive or operate machinery.
Driving and Operating Machinery
Adacel Polio should not normally interfere with your ability to drive or operate machinery. However, it may cause light-headedness, tiredness, or drowsiness in some people. If you experience these effects, avoid driving or operating machinery until you feel better.
Storage
Adacel Polio is usually stored at the doctor’s surgery, clinic, or pharmacy. If you need to store it: keep it in the original pack until use, store in the refrigerator at 2°C to 8°C, do not freeze, do not use after the expiry date, do not use if packaging is torn or tampered with, and keep away from children.
Overdose Information
Since Adacel Polio is given as a single dose by a healthcare professional, overdose is unlikely. If you have concerns about the vaccination or experience any unusual symptoms, contact your doctor immediately or go to the nearest emergency department.
Frequently Asked Questions
It usually takes several weeks after vaccination to develop protection against whooping cough, tetanus, diphtheria, and polio. Your body needs time to produce antibodies that will fight these diseases.
Tell your doctor if you’ve had any vaccines in the last 4 weeks. Your doctor will advise you if Adacel Polio can be given with another vaccine at the same time.
Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or planning to become pregnant. Adacel Polio may be given during pregnancy to help protect your baby from whooping cough during their first few months of life. Your doctor will help you decide if vaccination is right for you.
Call your doctor straight away if you don’t feel well after having Adacel Polio or if you have signs of an allergic reaction such as difficulty breathing, swelling of face/lips/throat, rash, or dizziness.
Most people will produce enough antibodies against these diseases after vaccination. However, as with all vaccines, 100% protection cannot be guaranteed. The vaccine significantly reduces your risk of getting these serious diseases.
Adacel Polio should not normally interfere with your ability to drive. However, it may cause light-headedness, tiredness, or drowsiness in some people. If you experience these effects, avoid driving until you feel better.
You should not receive this vaccine if you’ve had an allergic reaction to it before, had an allergic reaction to similar vaccines, or had serious brain disease within 7 days of a previous pertussis, tetanus, or diphtheria vaccination. It’s not recommended for children under 4 years old.
Important Disclaimer
This information is intended for general educational purposes only and should not be considered medical advice. Always consult your healthcare provider or pharmacist before starting, stopping, or changing any medication.
If you think you may have a medical emergency, call your doctor or emergency services immediately.