Diphtheria Vaccination

This vaccination is relevant for all age groups.

The initial course of protection against diphtheria (primary immunisation) is generally administered during childhood.

Booster vaccinations for adults with a complete primary immunisation course should be given every 10 years. This is usually administered in combination with tetanus, and where appropriate also with pertussis and polio.

The diphtheria vaccine is an inactivated vaccine and is usually administered as a combination vaccine. The vaccination is given into the deltoid muscle of the upper arm.

The vaccination is well tolerated. Very commonly, the stimulation of the body's immune defences causes redness or swelling at the injection site, which may also be painful. In rare cases, general symptoms such as a slight rise in temperature, chills, fatigue, muscle pain, or gastrointestinal complaints may occur within the first three days after vaccination. Such vaccination reactions generally subside within one to three days.

To check whether you are protected, simply make an appointment for a vaccination status review at one of our avi practices and discuss the matter with our medical team. They will advise you in detail as to whether you are already protected or whether you should receive a vaccination. The doctors will also check whether there are further vaccinations that would be beneficial for you, and will administer these directly where appropriate.