The term toxoid refers to vaccines which use an inactivated toxin produced by the pathogen which they are targeted against to generate an immune response.

[14] In the 20th century, the advancements in vaccinations helped to reduce the incidence of childhood pertussis and had a dramatically positive effect on the health of populations in the United States.

[15] However, in the early 21st century, reported instances of the disease increased 20-fold due to a downturn in the number of immunizations received and resulted in numerous fatalities.

[16] In 2009, the journal Pediatrics concluded the largest risk among unvaccinated children was not the contraction of side effects, but rather the disease that the vaccination aims to protect against.

The reduced range of antigens causes fewer side effects, but results in a more expensive, shorter-lasting,[17] and possibly less protective vaccine compared to DTwP.

[27] In October 2011, in an effort to reduce the burden of pertussis in infants, the ACIP recommended that unvaccinated pregnant women receive a dose of Tdap.

In the United States, a combined inactivated polio (IPV), DTaP, and hepatitis B DTaP-IPV-HepB vaccine is available for children.

[40][41] In the UK, all babies born on or after 1 August 2017 are offered a hexavalent vaccine: DTaP, IPV, Haemophilus influenzae, and hepatitis B (DTaP-Hib-HepB-IPV in short).

[45] Common side effects include soreness where the shot was given, fever, irritability, tenderness, loss of appetite, and vomiting.

Signs of an allergic reaction include hives, dyspnea, wheezing, swelling of face and throat, syncope, and tachycardia and the child should be rushed to the nearest hospital.

[46] Common side effects include pain or swelling where the shot was given, mild fever, headache, tiredness, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and stomach ache.

[25] In pregnant women, research suggests that Tdap administration may be associated with an increased risk of chorioamnionitis, a placental infection.

Pregnant women are advised to receive a dTpa booster during each pregnancy, ideally between 20-32 weeks of gestation, to protect newborns from pertussis.

It is given by the NHS to all teenagers aged 14 (the hexavalent vaccine is given to infants and provides the first stage of protection against diphtheria, tetanus, and polio, as well as pertussis, Haemophilus influenzae type B and hepatitis B).

[53] This is provided on the NHS free of charge due to the significant risk that an imported case of polio could pose to public health in Britain.

[54] The standard immunization regimen for children within the United States is five doses of DTaP between the ages of two months and fifteen years.

To be considered fully vaccinated, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) typically requires five doses of Tdap.

[56] As a result, in their first few months of life, unprotected infants are at highest risk of life-threatening complications and infections from pertussis.

[56] To protect infants younger than twelve months of age not vaccinated with Tdap against pertussis, ACIP also recommends adults (e.g., parents, siblings, grandparents, childcare providers, and healthcare personnel) and children to receive Tdap at least two weeks before being in contact with the infant.

[58] According to the CDC's Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) guidelines, one dose of Tdap is recommended during each pregnancy to ensure protection against pertussis in newborn infants.

[61] In October 2022, Boostrix (Tetanus Toxoid, Reduced Diphtheria Toxoid and Acellular Pertussis Vaccine, Adsorbed [Tdap]) was approved for immunization during the third trimester of pregnancy to prevent pertussis, commonly known as whooping cough, in infants younger than two months of age.

[62] Pregnant women who have not previously vaccinated with Tdap (i.e., have never received DTP, DTaP, or DT as child or Td or TT as an adult) are recommended to receive a series of three Td vaccinations starting during pregnancy to ensure protection against maternal and neonatal tetanus.

[65] Postpartum administration is an extension of the concept of "cocooning", a term that refers to the full vaccination of all individuals that may come into direct contact with the infant.