3-in-1 Teenage Booster
3-in-1 Teenage Booster
What you need to know about
The 3-in-1 Teenage Booster
The 3-in-1 vaccine, commonly known as the Td/IPV vaccine, is given to teenagers to improve protection against three diseases: tetanus, diphtheria, and polio.
A single injection is delivered into the upper arm muscle.
Learn more about immunizations for children and adolescents.
What is the 3-in-1 teenage booster?
It’s a so-called combination vaccine, and it includes:
- Diphtheria toxoid (low dose) that has been cleaned (purified)
- Tetanus toxoid that has been cleaned (purified)
- Three types of killed (inactivated) poliovirus
The mercury-based preservative thiomersal is absent from the 3-in-1 vaccine.
WHO IS ELIGIBLE?
The 3-in-1 adolescent booster is provided free of charge by the NHS to all 14-year-olds as part of the national vaccination programme.
It’s given at the same time as the MenACWY vaccine in secondary school (in school year 9).
Shortly before the immunizations, schools will send a letter to parents asking for their or their child’s approval.
If they are in an appropriate school age group, children who are home educated will also be offered the vaccine.
How is the 3-in-1 teenage booster vaccine given?
It’s injected into the upper arm muscle.
How safe is the 3-in-1 booster vaccine?
The 3-in-1 teenage booster vaccine is extremely safe.
Some people may experience minor adverse effects, including swelling, redness, or discomfort where the injection is given, like with all vaccines.
A small, painless lump may form, but it generally goes away after a few weeks.
Revaxis is the brand name for the 3-in-1 teenage booster vaccine available in the United Kingdom.
Read the Revaxis patient information booklet.
3-in-1 teenage booster side effects
The 3-in-1 teenage booster vaccine’s side effects are usually moderate, short-lived, and occur within 2 or 3 days of having the shot. Not everyone will have negative side effects.
Very common reactions to the teenage 3-in-1 booster
More than one child in ten will be diagnosed with:
- At the injection site, you may experience discomfort, soreness, or redness.
- At the injection site, there may be swelling or a small, painless bump.
Common side effects
Between one in ten and one in one hundred children will:
- Feeling dizzy
- Feeling or being ill (nausea and vomiting)
- A very hot temperature
- Have a headache
Rare side effects
Between 1 in 100 and 1 in 1,000 children will:
- Glands become swollen
- Muscle aches and pains are a common occurrence in their lives.
Very rare side effects
Less than 1 child in 1,000 will have:
- joint pains
Other side effects
The following are some of the other negative effects that have been reported:
- Diarrhoea
- Flu-like symptoms and shivering
- Numbness or pain in the arm that has been vaccinated
- A rash
- Fainting
Allergic reactions
Anaphylaxis is a more severe allergic reaction that occurs in a small percentage of children.
The vaccination will be administered by a healthcare expert who has been adequately trained in dealing with serious allergic reactions, and children will recover entirely with treatment.
Treating 3-in-1 booster side effects
Take paracetamol or ibuprofen if you feel sick following the vaccine. Speak to a GP or phone the free NHS 111 helpline if your temperature remains high after the second dosage of painkillers.
Do not take aspirin-containing medications if you are under the age of 16.
Reporting side effects
You can also use the Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency’s Yellow Card Scheme to report any side effects you suspect are related to the HPV vaccine.
The Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency is in charge of it (MHRA). The MHRA examines yellow card reports on a regular basis. It will conduct an inquiry and, if required, take appropriate action if it suspects a possible problem.
Minor responses such as rashes, fever, vomiting, and redness and swelling where the injection was given have been recorded through the Yellow Card Scheme.
Pharmaceutical companies are also required by law to report serious and suspected adverse occurrences to the MHRA.
FAQs
Find answers to the most frequently asked questions regarding the three-in-one booster shot for teenagers.
Who should get the vaccination?
All young individuals aged 14 and up are routinely provided with the 3-in-1 teenage booster immunisation on the NHS (school year 9).
How is the 3-in-1 teenage booster given?
It’s injected into the upper arm muscle.
Am I still protected if I was vaccinated against tetanus, diphtheria, and polio as a child?
You’ll have some protection, but the booster immunisation will boost it and help you stay protected for years to come.
Is it possible to contract polio from the polio component of this vaccine?
The polio booster vaccine for teenagers contains inactivated (dead) poliovirus that cannot cause polio.
How many boosters will I require?
Throughout your youth, you will require five doses of tetanus, diphtheria, and polio vaccines. This will help to build and maintain your body’s natural immunity to certain infections, as well as protect you against disease.
The 6-in-1 vaccine gives you the first three shots while you’re a baby. The fourth dosage of the 4-in-1 vaccine is given around the age of three as a pre-school booster, and the fifth and final dose is the teenage 3-in-1 booster administered at the age of fourteen (school year 9).
You’ll only need an extra booster if you’re travelling to particular countries or if you’ve had a specific type of injury.
Talk to your doctor, practice nurse, or school if you suspect you may have missed any of your doses.
Is there anything else I should have at the same time as the adolescent booster?
The MenACWY vaccine will most likely be given to you at the same time as your 3-in-1 immunisation.
It’s also a good time to double-check with your doctor or nurse that all of your other immunizations, such as MMR, are up to date.
If not, these extra standard childhood immunizations can be given at the same time as the 3-in-1 teen booster.
Visit the NHS immunisation schedule page for additional information.