Whooping Cough Combination Vaccine Checker

dTpa and dTpa-IPV decision support for pertussis, diphtheria, tetanus and polio protection.

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Many people ask for the whooping cough vaccine to protect a newborn. In Australia, pertussis vaccines are combination vaccines, so the same visit may also boost protection against diphtheria and tetanus, and some brands also include inactivated polio vaccine.

Australian Immunisation Handbook pages checked: updated 24 Oct 2025

Patient age and pregnancy

Age

Pregnancy status

If pregnant

Why are they asking today?

Close contact with an infant or newbornParents, grandparents, household members and carers should be protected within the past 10 years. Healthcare worker, early childhood educator or carerBooster recommended every 10 years. Routine adult booster around 50 yearsdTpa may be used instead of dT, especially if no adult dTpa dose. Age 65 years or olderRecommended if no dTpa in the past 10 years. Travel risk or hard-to-access health servicesDiphtheria/tetanus boosters commonly every 10 years; every 5 years for higher-risk travel/wounds. Needs polio protection tooTravelling to polio-affected areas, healthcare/lab risk, or never completed polio vaccination. Unsure, incomplete, or never vaccinatedMay need a primary/catch-up course rather than a single booster.

Previous vaccine history

Last dTpa / tetanus-containing dose

Polio course

Vaccine option being considered

Safety screen

Anaphylaxis after a previous relevant vaccine or componentAbsolute contraindication. Moderately/severely unwell todayDefer until recovered if acute illness is significant. Latex allergy or sensitivityAdacel/ADT tip cap latex warning; consider an alternative product.

What can be given at the same visit?

dTpa and dTpa-IPV vaccines can generally be co-administered with most other vaccines, using separate syringes and injection sites. In pregnancy, pertussis-containing vaccines can be co-administered with influenza vaccine and RSV vaccine Abrysvo. RSV monoclonal antibody products can also be given at the same visit when indicated.

Do not mix vaccines in the same syringe unless the product is specifically registered that way.
If Nimenrix and a tetanus-toxoid vaccine are both needed, co-administration is preferred.
Use local jurisdiction rules for pharmacist scope, funding and minimum intervals.

Side effects and counselling

Common effects include injection-site pain, redness or swelling, and sometimes headache, tiredness, malaise, muscle aches or fever. Limb swelling can occur after pertussis-containing boosters and usually resolves. Very rare events include anaphylaxis and brachial neuritis. Extra IPV doses are generally safe if required.

Conditions covered by the combination

Pertussis: highly infectious respiratory illness; maternal vaccination protects young infants through transferred antibodies.
Diphtheria: toxin-producing bacterial illness that can cause airway obstruction, myocarditis and paralysis.
Tetanus: toxin from wound contamination causing painful spasms and severe illness.
Polio: gastrointestinal poliovirus infection that can cause paralysis; dTpa-IPV adds polio protection when needed.

Educational portal — Australian context and spelling. For clinical care, always follow local protocols and professional judgement.