Can't find Adacel? Learn about Boostrix, Td vaccines, and other alternatives to the Tdap booster. Compare options and find what's available near you.
If you've been trying to get your Adacel vaccine and keep hitting dead ends, the good news is that alternatives exist. While Adacel is one of the most commonly prescribed Tdap boosters in the United States, it's not the only option for protecting yourself against tetanus, diphtheria, and pertussis.
In this guide, we'll walk through every alternative to Adacel — from direct substitutes to partial alternatives — so you can make an informed decision with your healthcare provider.
Before exploring alternatives, let's clarify what Adacel does. Adacel is a Tdap vaccine — it provides booster protection against three diseases:
Any alternative needs to address at least the tetanus and diphtheria components. The pertussis component is important but not always essential depending on your specific situation.
Boostrix is the closest alternative to Adacel. It's also a Tdap vaccine, made by GSK (GlaxoSmithKline), and protects against the same three diseases.
| Feature | Adacel | Boostrix |
|---|---|---|
| Manufacturer | Sanofi Pasteur | GSK |
| Vaccine Type | Tdap | Tdap |
| Diseases Covered | Tetanus, Diphtheria, Pertussis | Tetanus, Diphtheria, Pertussis |
| Approved Ages | 10-64 years | 10 years and older (no upper limit) |
| Dose | 0.5 mL intramuscular | 0.5 mL intramuscular |
| Safe in Pregnancy | Yes (recommended) | Yes (recommended) |
| Pertussis Antigens | 5 antigens | 3 antigens |
Key takeaway: For most patients, Boostrix and Adacel are interchangeable. The CDC considers them clinically equivalent for Tdap booster vaccination. Boostrix is actually the preferred option for adults 65 and older since it has no upper age limit on its FDA approval.
If you can't find Adacel, ask your pharmacy or doctor about Boostrix. It's the simplest switch and provides the same level of protection.
Tenivac is a Td vaccine (tetanus-diphtheria only) made by Sanofi Pasteur. It covers two of the three diseases that Adacel protects against — but it does not include the pertussis component.
Here's the catch — Td vaccine is actually in worse supply than Adacel right now. The Td shortage is the primary reason Adacel is hard to find. With MassBiologics discontinuing TdVax in 2024 and Tenivac as the only remaining Td product, finding a Td vaccine may be even harder than finding Adacel.
In most cases, using Tdap (Boostrix or Adacel) instead of Td is the CDC's recommended approach during the current shortage.
DTaP vaccines like Daptacel (Sanofi Pasteur) and Infanrix (GSK) protect against the same three diseases but are formulated for children ages 6 weeks through 6 years. They contain higher doses of diphtheria and pertussis antigens than Tdap vaccines.
These are NOT alternatives for adolescents or adults. DTaP vaccines are only appropriate for young children completing their primary vaccination series. If you're 10 or older and looking for an Adacel alternative, DTaP is not an option.
In rare circumstances where no Tdap or Td vaccine is available, your provider might consider:
These are not routine alternatives and would only be used in specific clinical scenarios when no Tdap or Td vaccine is available.
Some combination vaccines include tetanus and diphtheria components along with other antigens:
None of these combination vaccines are appropriate alternatives for adolescents or adults who need a Tdap booster.
Here's a simple decision framework:
Both Adacel and Boostrix are similarly priced:
Under the Affordable Care Act, all ACIP-recommended vaccines should be covered at no cost by most insurance plans when administered by an in-network provider. For savings tips, see our guide on saving money on Adacel.
If you're switching from Adacel to an alternative, your healthcare provider should note:
For more on side effects and what to expect, read our article on Adacel side effects.
If you can't find Adacel, Boostrix is the best alternative — it provides the same Tdap protection and is widely available. Td vaccines like Tenivac cover tetanus and diphtheria but are also in short supply. For children under 7, DTaP vaccines serve a similar role but are not interchangeable with Tdap for older patients.
Don't let a supply issue prevent you from getting vaccinated. Use MedFinder to find what's available near you, and work with your healthcare provider to choose the best alternative for your situation.
You focus on staying healthy. We'll handle the rest.
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