Boostrix Vaccine

Boostrix is a combination vaccine that helps protect against three different infectious diseases - diphtheria, tetanus, and pertussis. Boostrix is used for booster vaccination against these three diseases in children (aged 4 years and above) and in adults. This vaccine is given to people who have already completed primary vaccination with the DPT vaccine. Diphtheria (a serious throat infection that may block airways), pertussis (respiratory infection known as whooping cough), and tetanus (lockjaw, muscle spasms, and paralysis) are serious and life-threatening diseases, which can be easily prevented with the help of proper vaccination.

BOOSTRIX is given in accordance with local medical practice for booster vaccination, when a booster dose for tetanus, diphtheria or pertussis is required. To provide effective protection against diphtheria and tetanus, a booster vaccine should be given every 10 years.

A booster dose or booster vaccine or booster shot is an additional dose of a vaccine that may have to be administered periodically (usually once every few years) after completing the initial or primary vaccination against certain diseases. This helps to ‘boost’ your immunity against such diseases so that you are adequately protected against them.

No, Boostrix is a non-live (inactive) vaccine. It contains inactive substances produced by the bacteria that cause tetanus and diphtheria. Boostrix also contains fragments of the bacteria that cause pertussis (whooping cough). None of these substances or bacterial fragments can cause disease.

Boostrix is only given by a doctor or a trained healthcare professional into a muscle (intramuscularly), normally the upper arm muscle. Do not administer this vaccine yourself. Firm pressure should be applied to the injection site, without any rubbing, for at least two minutes. Due caution should be exercised, especially in patients with bleeding problems or low platelet counts since they are at risk of bleeding, following an injection into a muscle. In patients with bleeding problems, the dose may need to be given under the skin (subcutaneously). Boostrix is never given into a vein (intravenously).

The most common side effects of Boostrix are headache, injection site redness, pain or swelling and weakness. It may also cause gastrointestinal symptoms such as loss of appetite or feeling sick (nausea), vomiting, constipation or diarrhea. Not everyone experiences these side effects. If any of these side effects worry you or persist for a longer duration of time, please consult your doctor.

A single dose of Boostrix is recommended and helps keep you protected from diphtheria, tetanus and pertussis. Repeat vaccination against these diseases should be performed at intervals as per official recommendations (generally every 10 years).

Boostrix dTpa vaccine is a sterile suspension which contains diphtheria toxoid, tetanus toxoid and three purified antigens of Bordetella pertussis [pertussis toxoid (PT), pertussis filamentous haemagglutinin (FHA) and pertactin (PRN)] adsorbed onto aluminium salts.

If a scheduled booster dose of Boostrix is missed, talk to your doctor and arrange another visit as soon as possible.

Various studies and trials have shown that Boostrix is a safe and effective vaccine. Hence, it has been approved for use and recommended by various medical organizations and doctors all around the world. By preventing life-threatening diseases like diphtheria, pertussis and tetanus, it has proven to be of immense benefit. Boostrix is also well tolerated. Any side effects that may be seen with this vaccine are usually minor and tend to resolve quickly.

Boostrix is funded from the second trimester of every pregnancy and recommended to be administered from 16 weeks, preferably within the second trimester. Administration of Tdap from 16 weeks of pregnancy allows time for the womans immune system to produce antibody protection against pertussis.

When feasible, Boostrix should be used for adults aged 65 years and older; however, ACIP concluded that either vaccine administered to a person 65 years or older is immunogenic and would provide protection. A dose of either vaccine may be considered valid. Tetanus prophylaxis in wound management for adults.

Boostrix during pregnancy provides protection to both the mother and baby by transfer of vaccine-induced antibodies during the pregnancy. There is an additional benefit of reduced risk of transmission of infection from the mother to baby. It actually is a win-win situation. The baby is protected before birth and protection continues even after birth (for the first year of life). Infants are not adequately protected, especially against pertussis at birth. The vaccination for newborn babies, especially against pertussis, begins only at 6 weeks, that might put them at risk of developing the disease and its complications at birth in the first few months of life.

Originally, Boostrix was licensed in 2005 for persons aged 10 through 18 years, but in 2008, FDA approved an expanded age indication for Boostrix to include persons aged 19 through 64 years (1). FDA has now expanded the age indication to include persons aged 65 years and older.

Syncope (fainting) can occur following, or even before, any vaccination especially in adolescents as a psychogenic response to the needle injection. This can be accompanied by several neurological signs such as transient visual disturbance, paraesthesia and tonic-clonic limb movements during recovery. It is important that procedures are in place to avoid injury from faints.

Boostrix should not be given if you have had an allergic reaction to Boostrix or any of its ingredients. Signs of an allergic reaction may include itchy skin rash, shortness of breath or swelling of the face or tongue. Get emergency medical help if you notice any such signs. Consult your doctor if you have a severe infection with a high temperature. A minor infection such as a cold should not be a problem, but talk to your doctor about , greater than or equal to 40°C. this before being vaccinated. Boostrix should be avoided if the person has experienced any inflammation of the brain or problems with the nervous system within 7 days after previous vaccination with a vaccine against pertussis (whooping cough) disease. If you have experienced a temporary reduction in blood platelets (which increases risk of bleeding or bruising), or problems with the brain or nerves after previous vaccination with a vaccine against diphtheria and/or tetanus, this vaccine cannot be given. Do not use this vaccine if the expiry date printed on the pack has passed or if the packaging is torn or shows signs of tampering. If you are not sure whether Boostrix should be given, talk to your doctor.

Yes, Boostrix is generally safe to be used in pregnancy and lactation. However, inform your doctor if you are planning to conceive, pregnant or breastfeeding before taking Boostrix to receive more details on the appropriate time to receive Boostrix.

Boostrix works by causing the body to produce its own protection (antibodies) against three life-threatening diseases caused by bacterial infection, that is diphtheria, tetanus and pertussis (whooping cough).

All healthcare workers should receive a dose of dTpa vaccine. A booster dose is recommended every 10 years. There are four reduced antigen content (dTpa) formulations registered in Australia, including two in combination with IPV: Boostrix® (dTpa), Boostrix®-IPV (dTpa-IPV), Adacel® (dTpa) and Adacel® Polio (dTpa- IPV).

The vaccine offered to pregnant women in the UK is called Boostrix-IPV. This is also used as a pre-school booster vaccine, and protects against diphtheria, tetanus and polio as well as pertussis. The vaccine does not contain any live bacteria or viruses, and cannot cause any of the diseases it protects against.