How often should adults receive booster doses of the Tdap vaccine?

Adults should receive booster doses of the Tdap (tetanus, diphtheria, and pertussis) vaccine every 10 years. This recommendation is based on guidance from health authorities, which aim to ensure continued protection against these diseases that can be serious or even fatal. The 10-year interval helps maintain immunity, particularly for tetanus and diphtheria, which are covered by the vaccine. Pertussis (whooping cough) immunity can decrease over time, and boosting every 10 years can help prevent outbreaks and protect both the individual and vulnerable populations around them.

Yearly or more frequent boosters are unnecessary and may lead to unnecessary medical interventions and costs. Boosting every 5 years would also be excessive, as immunity typically lasts longer than that. A 15-year interval is longer than what is currently recommended, which could leave individuals unprotected from these potentially serious diseases during that time.