Other brands: none. All other diphtheria, tetanus vaccines contain additional antigens e.g. pertussis, polio
Vaccine type: subunit
Schedule and administration
ADT Booster™ is recommended:
- For all adults at risk of coming in contact with tetanus spores and/or diphtheria bacterium
- For children from 7 years of age and adults who have a tetanus prone wound AND who have not had a tetanus containing vaccination in the previous 5 years
- And funded as a booster vaccine at 45 and 65 years of age
A dose of Boostrix®, rather than ADT Booster, is funded at 11 years of age and for pregnant women to enhance immunity to pertussis (whooping cough) in addition to tetanus and diphtheria, and for catch up schedules in young people from 7-17 years of age.
Later in 2020, Boostrix®, which protects against pertussis (whooping cough) in addition to tetanus and diphtheria, will replace the ADT™ Booster vaccine for each of these groups. Until the vaccine change, Boostrix can be substituted for one, two or all three doses of the primary vaccinations in these age groups but may not be funded.
Special groups
ADT Booster is not funded for additional special groups.
Catch-up doses
ADT-Booster is recommended and offered free to New Zealand resident adults and children aged 7 years and older who have not completed their primary course of three tetanus and diphtheria vaccinations. Consideration must be given to using pertussis containing vaccines for children and young people under 18 years of age.
Refer to Appendix 2 in the Immunisation Handbook 2017 2nd Edition: Planning immunisation catch-ups.
Storage and preparation
No special considerations, store as per cold chain between 2°C to 8°C.
Administration
ADT Booster can be administered concurrently with other vaccines, including all national immunisation schedule vaccines. Separate syringes and different injection sites should be used.
The vaccine is delivered intramuscularly, usually into the deltoid.
Vaccine safety
ADT Booster is approved for use as a booster vaccine. It is used for primary vaccination out of licensure as there is no alternative primary vaccination strength vaccine available in New Zealand for these age groups. No safety concerns are expected with use in these circumstances.
ADT Booster should not be given to:
- Anyone who has had a severe allergy (anaphylaxis) to a previous dose of this vaccine; a previous dose of diphtheria or tetanus vaccine or a component of the vaccine or a component of the vaccine.
- Administration of ADT Booster should be postponed in individuals suffering from a fever over 38°C. The presence of a minor infection is not a reason to delay immunisation
Specialist advice should be sought for the following groups:
- Those with bleeding disorders, such as haemophilia The vaccine should be administered in accordance with the haematologist’s instructions. It may, in this situation only, be given subcutaneously.
Women who are breast feeding can safely have ADT Booster. No adverse consequences for a breast feeding infant have been observed following vaccination of lactating women. However, consideration should be given to replacing with Tdap vaccine in this case.
Vaccine effectiveness
When ADT Booster is administered to an individual who has previously completed a three-dose primary course of tetanus and diphtheria immunisations protection against tetanus and diphtheria is increased.
There is no published information on the effectiveness of ADT Booster when it is used for a primary vaccination course. However, based on the general principles of the human immune response to vaccination, a primary course of three ADT Booster vaccines is expected to result in protection from tetanus and diphtheria.
