Decavac

Decavac is a vaccine used for the prevention of tetanus (lockjaw) and diphtheria in persons 7 years of age and older.

Decavac is a shot given into the upper arm.

Common side effects of Decavac are pain, redness, and swelling at the injection site. 

Decavac is a vaccine used for the prevention of tetanus (lockjaw) and diphtheria in persons 7 years of age and older.

Decavac vaccine is used:

• in persons who have not been immunized previously against tetanus and diphtheria or who have begun a primary immunization series but did not complete it
• as a routine booster immunization against tetanus and diphtheria
• for active tetanus immunization in wound management
• for post-exposure diphtheria prevention

Side effects reported with Decavac include:

• pain, redness, and swelling at the injection site
• headache
• body ache or muscle weakness
• tiredness
• chills
• nausea
• sore and swollen joints
• diarrhea
• lymph node swelling
• vomiting
• fever
• rash

Tell your healthcare provider if you have any new or unusual symptoms after you receive Decavac. For a complete list of side effects, ask your health care provider.

Tell your doctor about all the medicines you take including prescription and nonprescription medicines, vitamins and herbal supplements. Especially tell your doctor if you use:

• immunosuppressive therapies, including irradiation, antimetabolites, alkylating agents, cytotoxic drugs and corticosteroids

This is not a complete list of Decavac drug interactions. Ask your doctor or pharmacist for more information. 

• Allergic reactions. Tell your healthcare provider about any signs or symptoms of  allergic reactions, which include the following:
  • chest pain
  • swelling of the face, eyes, lips, tongue, arms, or legs
  • difficulty breathing or swallowing
  • rash
• Latex. The tip caps of the Decavac prefilled syringes may contain natural rubber latex, which may cause allergic reactions in latex sensitive individuals.
• Frequency of administration. More frequent doses of Decavac vaccine than recommended may be associated with increased incidence and severity of adverse reactions.
• Arthus reactions. Persons who experienced an Arthus-type hypersensitivity reaction following a prior dose of a tetanus toxoid-containing vaccine usually have high serum tetanus antitoxin levels and should not receive Decavac vaccine more frequently than every 10 years, even for tetanus prevention as part of wound management.
• Guillain-Barré Syndrome and Brachial Neuritis. There is a causal relationship between tetanus toxoid and both brachial neuritis and Guillain-Barré syndrome. Guillain-Barré Syndrome is a condition in which the immune system attacks the nerves.  Brachial neuritis is a term used to describe an inflammation of a network of nerves that originate near the neck and shoulder (brachial plexus) that causes sudden-onset shoulder and arm pain, followed by weakness and/or numbness.
• Limitations of vaccination. Vaccination with Decavac vaccine may not protect all individuals.
• Altered immunocompetence. If Decavac vaccine is administered to immunocompromised persons, including persons receiving immunosuppressive therapy, the expected immune response may not be obtained.

Do not take Decavac if you or your child had a severe allergic reaction (eg, anaphylaxis) after a previous dose of Decavac vaccine or any other tetanus toxoid or diphtheria toxoid containing vaccine or any other component of this vaccine.

Medications can interact with certain foods. In some cases, this may be harmful and your doctor may advise you to avoid certain foods. In the case of Decavac, there are no specific foods that you must exclude from your diet when receiving this medication. 

Tell your healthcare provider if you or your child:

• had a severe allergic reaction (e.g., anaphylaxis) after a previous dose of Decavac vaccine or any other tetanus toxoid or diphtheria toxoid-containing vaccine or any other component of this vaccine
• are pregnant or plan to become pregnant
• are breastfeeding
• are allergic to latex

Tell you doctor about all the medicines you take including prescription and non-prescription medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements. 

Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant.

The FDA categorizes medications based on safety for use during pregnancy. Five categories - A, B, C, D, and X, are used to classify the possible risks to an unborn baby when a medication is taken during pregnancy.

Decavac falls into category C. No studies have been conducted in animals, and no well-controlled studies have been done in pregnant women. Decavac should only be given to a pregnant woman if clearly needed. 

Tell your doctor is you are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed. 

It is not known if Decavac crosses into human milk. Because some vaccines can cross into human milk and because of the possibility for serious adverse reactions in nursing infants with use of this vaccine, a choice should be made whether to stop nursing or stop the use of this vaccine. Your doctor and you will decide if the benefits outweigh the risk of using Decavac.

Decavac is a vaccine given by a healthcare provider as a shot into the upper arm.

Decavac is a vaccine given as a shot by your healthcare provider. 

• Decavac vaccine may be used in persons 7 years of age and older who have not been immunized previously against tetanus and diphtheria or who have begun a primary immunization series but did not complete it. The primary immunization series consists of three 0.5 mL doses. The first two doses are administered at least 4 weeks apart and the third dose is administered at least 6 months after the second dose.
• Routine booster immunization against tetanus and diphtheria is recommended in children 11-12 years of age and every 10 years thereafter.
• Decavac vaccine is approved for wound management of patients 7 years of age and older. The need for active immunization with a tetanus toxoid-containing preparation, with or without Tetanus Immune Globulin (TIG) (Human) depends on both the condition of the wound and the patient's vaccination history.
• Decavac vaccine may be used for post-exposure diphtheria prophylaxis in persons 7 years of age and older who have not completed primary vaccination, whose vaccination status is unknown, or who have not been vaccinated with diphtheria toxoid within the previous 5 years. Consult ACIP recommendations for additional interventions for post-exposure diphtheria prophylaxis.

Decavac is administered by a healthcare provider in a medical setting. It is unlikely that an overdose will occur in this setting. However, if overdoes is suspected, seek emergency medical attention.