What Is Adacel Used For?

Adacel is a vaccine that helps protect against three serious diseases: whooping cough (pertussis), tetanus, and diphtheria. It’s designed as a booster shot for people who have already received their childhood immunizations.

Primary Uses

Adacel is used as a booster vaccine for people aged 10 years and older who have previously received childhood immunization against whooping cough, tetanus, and diphtheria. When given during pregnancy, it helps protect newborn babies from whooping cough during their first few months of life by passing antibodies from mother to baby.

How It Works

Adacel works by causing your body to produce its own protection against whooping cough, tetanus, and diphtheria. It does this by making substances called antibodies in your 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.

How to Take Adacel

Adacel 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 of Adacel is a single dose of 0.5mL given as an injection, usually into your upper arm muscle by a doctor or nurse. Adacel should not be injected directly into the veins. The vaccine is generally given whenever a booster dose of whooping cough, tetanus and diphtheria vaccine is required.

What If You Miss a Dose?

Since Adacel is typically given as a single booster dose, missing a dose is not usually applicable. If you have concerns about your vaccination schedule, speak with your healthcare provider.

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 (redness, pain, discomfort, swelling, hard lumps)
• Headaches
• Tiredness, weakness or fatigue
• Fever
• Chills
• Soreness, aching muscles, muscle tenderness or weakness
• Joint pain or joint swelling
• Nausea and vomiting
• Diarrhea
• Loss of appetite
• Large injection site reactions and extensive limb swelling
• Injection site bruising, abscess
• Small lump in the area where vaccine was injected

Important Warnings

There are certain situations where Adacel should not be used, and medical conditions that need to be discussed with your doctor before vaccination.

Who Should Not Take Adacel

Do not use Adacel if you: are allergic to the active ingredients or any ingredients listed; have a history of severe allergic reaction to a previous dose of this vaccine or another vaccine for pertussis, tetanus and diphtheria; had serious brain disease (encephalopathy) without an apparent cause within 7 days of a previous pertussis, tetanus or diphtheria vaccination; have moderate or high temperature and/or acute illness. Adacel is not recommended for children under 10 years.

Medical Conditions to Discuss

Check with your doctor if you have: moderate or high temperature and/or acute illness; lowered immunity due to diseases such as blood disorders, kidney disease requiring dialysis, HIV/AIDS or cancer; lowered immunity due to treatment with medicines; Guillain-Barre syndrome after being given a vaccine containing tetanus toxoid; undiagnosed brain illness or uncontrolled epilepsy; bleeding disorder; allergy to latex.

Pregnancy and Breastfeeding

Check with your doctor if you are pregnant or intend to become pregnant. Your doctor will discuss the possible risks and benefits of having Adacel during pregnancy. Adacel may be given during pregnancy for prevention of pertussis in young infants. Talk to your doctor if you are breastfeeding or intend to breastfeed, as your doctor will discuss the possible risks and benefits.

Drug Interactions

Some medicines may interfere with Adacel and affect how it works. Always tell your healthcare provider about all medications you’re taking.

• Medicines that lower immunity
• Other vaccines (your doctor will advise if Adacel can be given with another vaccine)
• Any medicines, vitamins or supplements bought without prescription

Alcohol & Driving

The source material does not provide specific information about alcohol consumption or driving restrictions with Adacel vaccination.

Storage

Adacel is usually stored in the doctor’s surgery or clinic. However, if you need to store Adacel: Keep it in the original pack until it’s time to be given. Store in the refrigerator between 2°C and 8°C. If stored out of the refrigerator at room temperature, it can be used for up to 72 hours after it was last refrigerated. If stored out of the refrigerator for longer than 72 hours, it should be discarded. Do not freeze Adacel – freezing destroys the vaccine. Do not use after the expiry date. Do not use if packaging is torn or shows signs of tampering. Keep where young children cannot reach it.

Overdose Information

Overdose is most unlikely because your doctor or nurse gives the injections. If you have any concerns, ask your doctor. Call your doctor straight away if you do not feel well after having Adacel.

Frequently Asked Questions