Diphtheria, Tetanus & Polio (DTP) Vaccination
The TdP vaccine, also called Td/IPV is used to protect against three diseases: Diptheria, Tetanus and Polio.
IPV stands for Inactivated Polio Virus, differentiating it from another vaccine which is live. Live polio vaccines are not used in the UK.
Thanks to childhood vaccination programmes, these diseases are now rare, especially in the UK. To maintain this, the DTP vaccine remains essential for all children.
Following routine childhood immunisation, booster TdP vaccines are normally given in the event of an injury (dirty wounds pose a risk of Tetanus), for foreign travel to areas where access to a booster dose could be uncertain, or for those at occupational risk. If it has been more than 10 years since your last dose, there is also no harm in boosting your immunity, just for peace of mind.
The vaccine we routinely use is called Revaxis. Another vaccine, called Repevax, could also be used if protection against Whooping Cough is required. Tetanus, Diphtheria and Polio are also included in the childhood vaccines Vaxellis or Infanrix.
Who should have the Diphtheria, Tetanus and Polio vaccine?
The DTP vaccine is recommended for all children as part of their routine immunisations. Additionally, all adults should consider a booster vaccine if it’s been more than 10 years since their last vaccine.
After childhood vaccination, which is completed around the age of 14, booster doses should be given in the following circumstances:
- Following an injury; dirty wounds pose a risk of Tetanus
- Foreign travel to areas where access to a booster dose could be uncertain
- Occupational risk
Catching up with a full course of tetanus vaccines should be considered in those who have an uncertain vaccination history.
How many doses of the DTP vaccine are required?
Five doses are given during childhood, the last of these at age 14. Protection can be updated every 10 years after that.
The UK childhood vaccination schedule consists of five doses, with the last of these at age 14. Most teenagers and gap-year students don’t therefore need a vaccine update for their travels.
An update for travel is usually recommended every 10 years after the last childhood dose.
How does the DTP vaccine work?
Repevax is a killed vaccine.
The vaccine contains purified, inactivated, Diphtheria and Tetanus toxoids, as well as killed fragments of three different strains of Polio virus.
It produces protective antibodies against harmful toxins made by Diphtheria and Tetanus bacteria, and against all three strains of the Polio virus.
Polio circulating in London sewage
In 2022, polio virus was detected in London sewage, resulting in children aged 1-9 years being offered an extra booster polio vaccine dose.
Although this emergency is now over, this episode illustrates how quickly things can change if there is a lapse in our vaccination programme.
A similar emergency is now taking place in some parts of the UK, with rising numbers of measles cases, following a fall in numbers of children vaccinated.
It is really important for children and adults to stay up-to-date with recommended vaccine protection.
More about the 2022 polio emergency...
What is Diphtheria?
Diphtheria is a serious bacterial infection of the respiratory tract or skin, with potentially life-threatening complications. It is completely preventable by immunisation.
It is spread by respiratory droplets or secretions and by contact with broken skin.
Humans are the only reservoirs of the disease; carriers may harbour the organism for prolonged periods. In non-immune individuals the bacteria multiply in the upper respiratory tract, most commonly the throat and nostrils, causing intense inflammation.
Symptoms of diphtheria include:
- Thick, grey membrane on the throat and tonsils
- Sore throat
- Swollen glands in neck (lymph nodes)
- Difficulty breathing
- High temperature
The multiplying bacteria release a potent toxin, which travels through the bloodstream to affect many organs in the body, most notably the heart, kidneys and nerves. Death from toxin damage can occur several weeks after the patient appears to have made an uneventful recovery.
Diphtheria bacilli may also colonise pre-existing skin injuries to cause cutaneous diphtheria, often on the lower legs, feet and hands. These infections are usually mild but chronic and represent the major reservoir of diphtheria in tropical countries.
What is Tetanus?
Tetanus is a serious infection caused by bacteria getting into a wound.
It is caused by Clostridium tetani bacteria that lie dormant as spores in the soil. Spores enter the body through soil contamination of wounds or via unclean surgical instruments and needles. Once inside the wound the spores germinate and the bacteria grow and multiply. Environments with low oxygen concentrations, such as deep wounds with a poor blood supply and/or lots of residual dead tissue, are especially favourable for bacterial growth.
Clostridium tetani produce a powerful toxin that spreads through the body in the blood, and is taken up into nerves, where it exerts its effects. Days or weeks after the initial infection, symptoms begin to occur, especially stiffness of the jaw muscles causing ‘lock-jaw’ and difficulty in swallowing.
Tetanus is fatal in around 1 in 10 cases.
The symptoms of tetanus include:
- Lockjaw (stiffness in your jaw muscles)
- Muscles spasms
- Difficulty swallowing
- High temperature
- Sweating
- Rapid heart rate
Fast treatment is necessary to prevent symptoms from worsening.
Tetanus is entirely preventable by immunisation.
What is Polio?
Polio (which is short for poliomyelitis) is a serious viral infection spread by food or water contaminated with faeces or sewage from a person infected with or harbouring one of three strains of the polio virus.
Most people don’t develop any symptoms of polio or even realise they’re infected.
For the small number of people who do, they may experience symptoms of:
- High temperature
- Sore throat
- Headache
- Abdominal pain
- Sickness
In severe cases of polio, the virus can attack the nerves in the spine and brain which can cause paralysis. Polio used to be called infantile paralysis. Paralysis can affect the breathing muscles of the chest, or the muscles of the arm or leg, resulting in a shortened, contracted limb. It can cause lasting disability or death.
Unfortunately it has not yet been eradicated, so everyone should be immunised against this important disease.
Our Patients Speak for Us
Clare Elliott
Very easy to book. The nurse was great with my nervous daughter. I would recommend for travel vaccinations.
P Croft
I went for a covid booster vaccination and my experience was excellent. I arrived 10 minutes early for my appointment, the lady doing it (Lucy) immediately swallowed the last of her doughnut and took me through. She put me at my ease by chatting pleasantly while she prepared things, and then the jab itself was so quick and painless – I literally didn’t feel a thing, including her applying the plaster afterwards! It was a first class experience, all in the delightful setting of the quaint shop in historic Fleet Street.
Cian Haynes
I highly recommend Fleet Street Clinic for travel vaccines. The experience was smooth and professional. Chiara was incredibly knowledgeable, patient, and reassuring. She thoroughly explained each vaccine and made me feel at ease. The vaccinations were quick and relatively painless, with excellent aftercare advice. I feel well-protected for my travels thanks to Chiara and the team!
M P
We were grateful for the helpful advice they gave us and the chance to speak to a nurse before we booked our appointment. The nurse we saw was very informative, efficient and kind and the reception staff were friendly and professional.
Grace G
The travel nurse was lovely and very efficient with giving me vaccines. She even took the time to nurse a wound I had whilst I was there. Really great care.
Chris Starling
Always an excellent service whether on personal or business matter. The team go out of their way to be helpful and accommodate needs and treat each matter with importance whilst taking a pragmatic and responsive approach to situations to put patients first.
Nicholas Grundy
I recently sought treatment at Fleet Street Clinic for painful ears; I was quickly diagnosed by Dr Hartmann. He prescribed ear drops and arranged an appointment for me a week later with Lucy Mildren. Within a week my ears were better. Everything was very efficient and I was treated with care and skill.
Blake
Had to get a whooping cough vaccine to visit my new nephew in Australia…couldn’t have asked for a better service. Phoned on during the week, booked in for 9am, I arrived a few minutes early and was walking out the door vaccinated and back to work in less than 10 minutes after a refreshing chat with the lovely staff. What more can you ask for???
Hareen De Silva
Fantastic front of house staff. Dr Levy was brilliant during my appointment. Nurse Chiara gave me my travel vaccinations and was extremely professional and knowledgeable.
Mark A
My wife and I have attended the Fleet Street Clinic for many years now and found Dr Belinda Griffiths and her team exemplary in all departments. On the back of this I have recommended the clinic to all my family members and Senior Management team.
FAQs
Yes, we are happy to provide childhood vaccines for children if for any reason this cannot be provided by the NHS. Please contact us for more information.
When attending with children, please bring your child’s “red book” along with you.
In the UK, your child’s vaccination history is normally recorded in their red book, which should be updated every time they receive a vaccine.
If you forget to bring it, we can still see you and vaccinate your child without it, and update it afterwards.
Yes, please try to remember to bring it with you.
No. They are similar but DTP contains diphtheria tetanus and polio, whereas DTap-IPV contains diphtheria, tetanus, polio and acellular pertussis also (whooping cough vaccine).
Diphtheria, tetanus and polio protection is included in infant and pre-school vaccines (in 6-in-1 and 4-in-1 combinations)
The 3-in-1 DTP combination is given as a teenage booster dose, usually at age 14, then every 10 years thereafter.
DTP forms part of the national schedule of vaccinations in the UK but is not a mandatory vaccine.
Yes. There is no interaction between DTP and MMR. It is safe to give them at the same time, in the same appointment.
Yes. There is no interaction between DTP and varicella vaccine. It is safe to give them at the same time, in the same appointment.
Yes. There is no interaction between DTP and meningitis ACWY vaccine. It is safe to give them at the same time, in the same appointment.
