diphtheria, tetanus and poliomyelitis at a glance
Medicine class
Combined diphtheria and tetanus toxoid vaccine with inactivated poliovirus.
Licensed role
Booster immunisation for children from 6 years, adolescents and adults who have received primary vaccination.
Administration
Given by injection, normally into the upper-arm muscle, by a trained healthcare professional.
Live vaccine
No. It contains toxoids and inactivated poliovirus and cannot cause the infections it protects against.
What is diphtheria, tetanus and poliomyelitis used for?
Revaxis is licensed for active booster immunisation after primary vaccination.
Boosting protection against diphtheria, tetanus and poliomyelitis in children from 6 years, adolescents and adults.
Providing combined protection after clinical assessment when a tetanus-prone injury requires a tetanus booster and diphtheria and polio protection is also desirable.
How does diphtheria, tetanus and poliomyelitis work?
Diphtheria and tetanus toxoids teach the immune system to recognise toxins produced by those bacteria. Inactivated poliovirus antigens stimulate antibodies against poliovirus. The vaccine reinforces immune memory without containing live organisms.
How to take diphtheria, tetanus and poliomyelitis
A trained healthcare professional gives the vaccine, normally into the upper-arm muscle. It must not be injected into a blood vessel or the skin. A clinician may consider a deep subcutaneous injection for some people with bleeding disorders.
Tell the vaccinator about previous vaccine reactions, allergies, immune-suppressing treatment, bleeding disorders, neurological reactions and phenylketonuria.
Food does not affect administration.
The healthcare professional should shake and visually check the suspension before use.
diphtheria, tetanus and poliomyelitis side effects
Common or expected effects
- Pain, redness, swelling, firmness or a small lump at the injection site
- Headache
- Fever
- Dizziness
- Feeling or being sick
Get urgent medical advice
- Severe allergic reaction with breathing difficulty, facial or throat swelling, shock or collapse
- Seizure
- New progressive weakness, numbness or tingling
- Marked swelling extending beyond the injection-site joint, particularly if severe or worsening
diphtheria, tetanus and poliomyelitis in pregnancy
UK public information states that Td/IPV vaccination can be given during pregnancy when needed. Revaxis product information says it should be used only when boosting immunity is considered urgent, so the prescriber or immunisation team should assess product choice and timing.
diphtheria, tetanus and poliomyelitis while breastfeeding
Revaxis may be given while breastfeeding. UK guidance reports no evidence of risk from inactivated vaccines or toxoids during breastfeeding.
diphtheria, tetanus and poliomyelitis interactions
There are few direct medicine interactions, but immune-suppressing treatment can affect the response.
Immunosuppressive medicines
The immune response may be reduced. Vaccination timing may need assessment in relation to immune recovery, but chronic immunodeficiency does not automatically rule out indicated vaccination.
Other vaccines or immunoglobulins
They may be given at the same visit, but must be injected at separate sites and not mixed in the same syringe.
Common questions about diphtheria, tetanus and poliomyelitis
Answers are fully visible for fast scanning and source review.
Is this a live vaccine?
No. Revaxis contains diphtheria and tetanus toxoids plus inactivated poliovirus, not live organisms.
Can it cause diphtheria, tetanus or polio?
No. Its components cannot cause the infections it protects against.
Sources
These sources were used to prepare and review this medicine page.
Prepared and reviewed by the iatroX editorial team.