Diphtheria, tetanus and polio booster vaccine

This vaccine will also protect you against diphtheria and polio.

Getting the vaccine

Request the vaccine and complete your confidential online questionnaire. One of our clinicians will check your suitability and contact you via your Patient Record. Once approved, you can select at which LloydsPharmacy store you would like to be vaccinated and call to book your appointment.

The vaccine comes as one injection, usually given in the upper arm.

Effectiveness

Although the vaccine can not guarantee a 100% protection, it is extremely effective and should help prevent against all three infections for up to 10 years. If you have previously completed a full course of the vaccination, which requires having 5 scheduled doses, you should have lifelong protection and will not require a booster.

Side effects

Most patients experience no side effects from this vaccine. However, you may experience pain, swelling or reddening of the skin at the injection site, headache, feeling sick, dizziness, fever or a general feeling of being unwell. Any side effects should not last more than 2-3 days.

For full information about side effects and the vaccine, see the patient information leaflet.

Risk of severe allergic reaction (anaphylaxis)

All LloydsPharmacy staff who provide this service are trained to manage anaphylaxis. Anaphylaxis is a severe allergic reaction to a vaccine. Symptoms of anaphylaxis can include fainting, shortness of breath, falling blood pressure and swelling of the face and neck. Anaphylaxis is extremely rare after receiving the injection.

How the vaccine works

This vaccine consists of a single injection and stimulates the body's immune system to fight the possible infections without causing the infections themselves.

About diphtheria

Diphtheria bacteria are spread from person to person by sneezing, coughing or being in close contact with someone who is already infected. Diphtheria causes a lung infection characterized by sore throat and fever. If left untreated, it can lead to paralysis of the lung muscles which can lead to difficulty breathing and swallowing.

About tetanus

Tetanus bacteria are commonly found in the soil and animal manure and enter the body through cuts or wounds. Tetanus causes painful tightening of the muscles, usually all over the body. It can lead to 'lockjaw' and painful spasms that makes it difficult to breath and swallow.

About polio

Polio is caused by a virus that is mainly spread by swallowing food and drink that is contaminated with the faeces of someone who already has the virus, or with the droplets launched into the air when they cough or sneeze. Once inside the body, the virus spreads to the nervous system and can cause life-long paralysis.