Who is tetanus/diphtheria/pertussis (Tdap) vaccine recommended for? Should I get a Tdap or Td vaccine? Do I have to pay?

Tetanus, Diphtheria, Pertussis (Tdap) Vaccine is recommended and provided for free for the following people: 

• Students in grade nine. This vaccine dose is a booster for children vaccinated against these diseases at a younger age. Also, people born in 1989 or later who missed their grade nine dose of Tdap are eligible to get one dose for free.
• Pregnant people in every pregnancy, ideally given between 27-32 weeks of gestation to help protect the baby against pertussis (whooping cough) after birth. Read more in our pregnancy section.
• Children seven years of age and older who have not been fully vaccinated.
• Adults or immigrants who have not been vaccinated or whose vaccination history is unknown.

The National Advisory Committee on Immunization recommends that adults vaccinated in childhood receive one dose of Tdap (a pertussis-containing vaccine) in adulthood. In BC, the tetanus-diphtheria (Td) vaccine is free and, the Tdap vaccine is available for purchase. Contact your local pharmacy or travel clinic to purchase and receive the Tdap vaccine.