Boostrix is a brand-name Tdap vaccine prescribed to help prevent tetanus, diphtheria, and pertussis in adults and some children. Boostrix comes as an intramuscular injection that’s typically given once every 10 years.

Boostrix is approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to:

  • maintain (boost) immunity to tetanus, diphtheria, and pertussis (whooping cough) in adults and children ages 10 years and older
  • help prevent pertussis in infants younger than 2 months old when Boostrix is given during pregnancy

Boostrix is a biologic drug that contains the active ingredients tetanus toxoid, reduced diphtheria toxoid, and absorbed acellular pertussis. It’s also known as a Tdap vaccine. Tdap vaccines contain a full-strength dose of the tetanus (T) vaccine and smaller doses of the diphtheria (d) and pertussis (p) vaccines to maintain immunity to those diseases. Boostrix isn’t available in a biosimilar version.

Keep reading for specific information about the dosage of Boostrix, including its strength and how the vaccine is given. For a comprehensive look at Boostrix, including details about its uses, see this article.

Note: This article describes typical dosages of Boostrix provided by the drug’s manufacturer. However, your doctor or pharmacist will recommend the Boostrix dosage that’s right for you.

The information below describes Boostrix’s typical dosage and other details about the drug.

Boostrix form

Boostrix comes as a suspension (a type of liquid mixture) in prefilled syringes and prefilled vials. Both forms contain one dose of the vaccine that’s given as an intramuscular injection by a healthcare professional.

Boostrix strength

Boostrix comes in one strength of 0.5 milliliters (mL), which is one dose.

Typical dosages

The following information describes the commonly prescribed or recommended Boostrix schedule for adults. Your doctor will determine the best dosage to fit your needs.

Dosage to help prevent tetanus, diphtheria, and pertussis

If your doctor prescribes Boostrix, you’ll receive one dose of 0.5 mL as an injection into your muscle.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) adult immunization schedule recommends Tdap vaccination (such as Boostrix) every 10 years to boost immunity. In general, people receive an initial Tdap vaccine when they’re 11 to 12 years old. (See “Children’s dosage” for details.)

As such, your doctor may recommend Boostrix in these situations:

  • It’s been 9 years or more since your last Tdap vaccination.
  • It’s been at least 5 years since your last Tdap vaccination or another tetanus booster, you have a dirty or serious cut, and there’s a risk of developing tetanus.
  • You’ve never received a Tdap vaccine.

For more information about your specific dosage, talk with your doctor.

Children’s dosage

Boostrix is approved to help prevent tetanus, diphtheria, and pertussis in children ages 10 years and older. If your child’s doctor prescribes Boostrix, they’ll receive one dose of 0.5 mL.

The CDC’s child immunization schedule recommends Tdap vaccination (such as Boostrix) for children ages 11 to 12 years.

Specifically, Boostrix is used as a booster immunization if it’s been 5 years or more since your child received:

  • the last dose of diphtheria and tetanus toxoids and acellular pertussis (DTaP) vaccine series (see this article to learn about Tdap versus DTaP vaccines)
  • a dose of tetanus and diphtheria toxoids adsorbed (Td) vaccine

The CDC also recommends Tdap as a “catch-up” vaccine in children ages 7 years and older who didn’t receive all of their DTaP vaccine doses.

Talk with your child’s doctor if you have questions about their dosage.

How Boostrix is given

Your doctor or pharmacist will give you your Boostrix vaccine at the doctor’s office or pharmacy. This vaccine is given as an injection into the deltoid muscle (shoulder muscle).

If you have questions about how you’ll receive your dose of Boostrix, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

Long-term treatment

Boostrix is meant to be used for long-term prevention of tetanus, diphtheria, and pertussis. You’ll usually only need one dose of Boostrix every 10 years. If you and your doctor determine that Boostrix is safe and effective for you, you’ll likely receive it long term, once every 10 years.

Before you receive your dose, your doctor will discuss your Boostrix dose schedule and recommendations with you.

Note: The CDC recommends that pregnant people receive a Tdap vaccine (such as Boostrix) between weeks 27 and 36 of pregnancy to immunize the infant.

Boostrix is also approved for use in pregnant people to help prevent pertussis in infants under 2 months old. If your doctor prescribes Boostrix, you’ll receive one dose of 0.5 mL during the third trimester of pregnancy.

Talk with your doctor if you have questions about receiving Boostrix during pregnancy.

Disclaimer: Medical News Today has made every effort to make certain that all information is factually correct, comprehensive, and up to date. However, this article should not be used as a substitute for the knowledge and expertise of a licensed healthcare professional. You should always consult your doctor or another healthcare professional before taking any medication. The drug information contained herein is subject to change and is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. The absence of warnings or other information for a given drug does not indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for all patients or all specific uses.