Tetanus and Diphtheria Vaccination in Ottawa
Protect Yourself From Tetanus and diphtheria While Travelling
What are Tetanus and Diphtheria?
Tetanus and diphtheria are serious bacterial infections that can cause severe illness and life-threatening complications. Both are preventable through vaccination, most commonly given together as a Td or Tdap vaccine. The best way to protect yourself from Tetanus and Diphtheria is Vaccination at Destinations Travel and Immunization Clinic in Orléans, Ottawa.
What is Tetanus
Tetanus is caused by Clostridium tetani, bacteria found in soil, dust, and manure. The bacteria can enter the body through cuts, puncture wounds, or breaks in the skin, producing toxins that affect the nervous system.
Symptoms may include:
- Painful muscle stiffness
- Lockjaw (difficulty opening the mouth)
- Difficulty swallowing
- Muscle spasms
- Fever and sweating
Tetanus is not spread person-to-person, but even minor wounds can lead to infection. Vaccination is the most effective way to prevent this life-threatening disease.
The Government of Canada’s Tetanus Page
What is Diphtheria
Diphtheria is a highly contagious bacterial infection that primarily affects the throat and upper airways and can also damage the heart, kidneys, and nervous system. It spreads through coughing, sneezing, or close contact with an infected person.
Early symptoms may include:
- Sore throat
- Fever and chills
- Weakness
- Swollen neck (enlarged lymph nodes)
In severe cases, diphtheria can cause breathing difficulties, heart failure, paralysis, or death. Vaccination has made diphtheria rare in Canada, but it still occurs in parts of the world.
The Government of Canada’s Diphtheria Page
Is Tetanus & Diphtheria Vaccination Required?
Tetanus and diphtheria vaccination is not required for international travel, but staying up to date is strongly recommended for all travellers.
Travel can increase your risk due to:
- Outdoor and adventure activities
- Cuts, scrapes, and puncture wounds
- Crowded environments
- Limited access to prompt medical care in some regions
Protection against diphtheria is particularly important when travelling to countries with lower vaccination coverage or reported outbreaks.
How Can I Protect Myself Against Tetanus & Diphtheria?
The most effective protection against tetanus and diphtheria is routine vaccination.
- Ensure you have a Td or Tdap booster every 10 years
- Clean and disinfect any cuts or wounds promptly
- Seek medical care for deep or contaminated wounds
- Pregnant individuals should receive Tdap during each pregnancy to protect newborns
A healthcare provider or travel clinic can review your immunization history and recommend any needed boosters before travel.
Can These Infections Result in Serious Illness?
Yes. Both tetanus and diphtheria can cause severe and potentially life-threatening complications if untreated.
Tetanus can lead to:
- Severe muscle spasms
- Difficulty breathing
- Death
Diphtheria can cause:
- Airway obstruction
- Heart problems
- Nerve damage
- Death
Vaccination is the safest and most effective way to prevent these outcomes.
Is the Tetanus & Diphtheria Vaccine Covered by OHIP?
Yes. In Ontario, tetanus- and diphtheria-containing vaccines (Td or Tdap) are publicly funded under OHIP.
Adults are eligible for:
- A booster every 10 years
- A one-time adult Tdap dose if not previously received
- Tdap during each pregnancy, when recommended
While the vaccine itself is publicly funded when given by a physician, nurse practitioner, or public health program, some travel clinics may charge a consultation or administration fee when vaccination is provided as part of a travel health assessment.
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Frequently Asked Questions
The tetanus vaccine does not provide lifelong protection. For most adults, protection from a tetanus booster lasts approximately 10 years, after which a repeat dose is recommended. If you are unsure when you last received a booster, a travel health consultation can help you assess your immunization history.
For most adults, a tetanus-containing booster is recommended every 10 years. However, the schedule can vary depending on your vaccination history, age, and whether you have received the Tdap (tetanus, diphtheria, and pertussis) vaccine as an adult. At Destinations Travel Clinic, we review your complete immunization record to make sure you are up to date.
If it has been more than 10 years since your last tetanus-containing vaccine, your booster is likely overdue. Many adults are behind on their tetanus boosters without realizing it. If you are unsure, bring your immunization record to your appointment and we can review it with you. If you have no record, we can advise on the appropriate next steps.
Yes — ensuring your tetanus booster is current is a standard part of any pre-travel health assessment. Tetanus risk exists worldwide, particularly in areas with limited access to wound care or emergency medical services. Even for travel to developed countries, we recommend confirming your tetanus status is up to date before departure.
Both are tetanus-containing vaccines for adults, but they protect against different diseases. Td protects against tetanus and diphtheria. Tdap protects against tetanus, diphtheria, and pertussis (whooping cough). Current Canadian guidelines recommend that adults receive at least one dose of Tdap in their lifetime to replace one Td booster, with Td boosters continuing every 10 years after that.
Adacel and Boostrix are the two brand names for the Tdap vaccine available in Canada. Both protect against tetanus, diphtheria, and pertussis. They are produced by different manufacturers — Adacel by Sanofi and Boostrix by GSK — but are clinically interchangeable for most adults. Your provider will administer whichever is available at the clinic.
Tdap is a combination vaccine that protects against three diseases: tetanus (a bacterial infection that causes severe muscle spasms), diphtheria (a bacterial infection that can cause serious throat and airway complications), and pertussis, also known as whooping cough (a highly contagious respiratory illness that can be life-threatening in infants).
It depends on which tetanus vaccine you receive. The Td vaccine protects against tetanus and diphtheria only. The Tdap vaccine (brand names Adacel and Boostrix) also includes protection against pertussis (whooping cough). Canadian guidelines recommend that adults who have not yet received an adult dose of Tdap get one, especially those who are in contact with young infants.
You can get a tetanus booster at Destinations Travel Clinic, located at 210 Centrum Blvd, Suite 110 in Orléans. As a dedicated travel medicine clinic, we stock all recommended travel and routine vaccines including Td and Tdap. Call us at 613-837-0303 or book a travel health consultation to get started.
Yes. Tetanus boosters are a routine part of pre-travel vaccination and are available at Destinations Travel Clinic. We review your full immunization history during your travel health consultation and administer any vaccines you need in the same visit, including tetanus-containing vaccines.
An appointment is preferred to ensure vaccine availability and allow us to review your immunization history. Rapid appointments are available based on your travel plans. Call us at 613-837-0303 to book.
It depends on your vaccination history and the nature of the wound. If your last tetanus booster was within the past 10 years and the wound is clean and minor, you may not need an immediate booster. For deeper, dirty, or puncture wounds, a booster may be recommended even if your last dose was within the past 5 years. If you are uncertain about your tetanus status after an injury, contact a healthcare provider promptly.
If a tetanus booster is indicated following a wound, it should be administered as soon as possible — ideally within 24 hours of the injury. For wounds that pose a higher risk, tetanus immunoglobulin (TIG) may also be needed in addition to the vaccine if you are not adequately immunized. Seek medical attention promptly for any deep, dirty, or puncture wound.
Yes. The Tdap vaccine is recommended during every pregnancy. It is considered safe to receive during pregnancy and does not contain live bacteria. Vaccination during pregnancy allows the mother to pass protective antibodies to the baby before birth, providing the infant with some protection against whooping cough during the first months of life before they are old enough to be fully vaccinated themselves.
The Tdap vaccine is recommended between 27 and 32 weeks of each pregnancy. This timing is chosen to maximize the transfer of maternal antibodies to the baby before birth. Vaccination can still be given later in pregnancy if the optimal window is missed.
Tetanus vaccination is not typically a formal entry requirement for any country, but it is universally recommended for all travellers regardless of destination. Tetanus bacteria are found worldwide in soil, dust, and animal waste. Travellers who may be exposed to wounds, outdoor activities, or areas with limited medical care are at particular risk. Ensuring your booster is current is a standard part of pre-travel preparation.
Tetanus risk is higher when travelling to destinations with limited access to emergency medical care, particularly rural areas in developing countries. Activities that increase risk include hiking, cycling, animal handling, and any adventure or outdoor travel where cuts, scrapes, or puncture wounds are possible. Risk is not limited to developing countries — tetanus can occur anywhere if a wound goes untreated.
Yes. At Destinations Travel Clinic, we specialize exclusively in travel medicine. During your pre-travel consultation, we review your complete immunization needs and can administer multiple vaccines in a single visit where appropriate. We know which vaccines can be given together, in which order, and how far apart they need to be spaced — so you leave fully prepared without multiple appointments.
