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Data source: VAERS (Vaccine Adverse Event Reporting System)

Data through 2026 · Updated quarterly

Built by TheDataProject.ai · © 2026 VaccineWatch

Important: VAERS accepts reports of adverse events following vaccination. For any given report, there is no certainty that the reported event was caused by the vaccine. Reports may contain information that is incomplete, inaccurate, coincidental, or unverifiable. Most reports to VAERS are voluntary, which means they are subject to biases. This data cannot be used to determine if vaccines cause or contribute to adverse events.

⚠️

Important: VAERS reports alone cannot determine if a vaccine caused an adverse event. Reports may contain incomplete, inaccurate, or unverified information. Correlation does not equal causation.

  1. Home
  2. Vaccine Side Effects
  3. Tdap Vaccine
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Tdap Vaccine Side Effects

Tdap (tetanus, diphtheria, pertussis) is recommended for all adolescents and adults, and during every pregnancy. As one of the most commonly administered vaccines, it generates significant VAERS reports.

52,846
Total Reports
129
Deaths Reported
2,191
Hospitalizations
14,141
ER Visits

Most Commonly Reported Side Effects

The following symptoms are most frequently reported after vaccination:

#{i + 1}Injection site erythema
8,820
#{i + 1}Injection site pain
7,312
#{i + 1}Pyrexia
7,220
#{i + 1}Injection site swelling
7,034
#{i + 1}Pain
6,345
#{i + 1}Erythema
5,902
#{i + 1}Pain in extremity
5,693
#{i + 1}Headache
5,500
#{i + 1}Dizziness
4,989
#{i + 1}Nausea
4,529
#{i + 1}Injection site warmth
4,040
#{i + 1}Syncope
3,189

Tdap During Pregnancy

Tdap is recommended during weeks 27-36 of every pregnancy to protect newborns from whooping cough (pertussis). This means a large portion of Tdap VAERS reports come from pregnant women, which may include pregnancy complications that arecoincidental rather than vaccine-caused.

Large-scale studies have found Tdap during pregnancy to be safe, with no increased risk of major birth defects, preterm birth, or small-for-gestational-age births.

Expected Side Effects

Common:

  • Pain, redness, or swelling at injection site (very common)
  • Fatigue and body aches
  • Headache
  • Nausea
  • Fever (usually low-grade)

Less common:

  • Extensive limb swelling (more common in children with multiple DTaP doses)
  • Joint pain

Rare:

  • Guillain-Barré Syndrome (very rare, about 1 per million)
  • Severe allergic reaction
⚠️ Remember: VAERS reports show correlation, not causation. A report filed after vaccination doesn't mean the vaccine caused the reported event. Always consult your healthcare provider for medical advice.

Explore This Data

Tdap Vaccine Detail →
Full VAERS profile
Birth Defects Analysis →
Pregnancy-related data
All Side Effects →
Overview across all vaccines

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