What Is TdVax? Uses, Dosage, and What You Need to Know in 2026

TdVax was the brand name for Tetanus and Diphtheria Toxoids, Adsorbed — a vaccine produced by MassBiologics and distributed by Grifols USA. It was one of only two Td vaccines available in the United States until its permanent discontinuation in 2024. If you're researching TdVax — whether you received it in the past, are curious about the current Td vaccine landscape, or are looking for alternatives — this guide covers everything you need to know.

What Was TdVax?

TdVax (proper name: Tetanus and Diphtheria Toxoids, Adsorbed) was an injectable vaccine manufactured by MassBiologics, a nonprofit biologic manufacturer based in Massachusetts and affiliated with the University of Massachusetts Medical School. The vaccine appeared as a homogeneous milky white suspension and was administered as a 0.5 mL intramuscular injection.

TdVax was FDA-approved for active immunization against tetanus and diphtheria in people 7 years of age and older. It protected against:

• Tetanus (lockjaw): A serious bacterial infection caused by Clostridium tetani. Tetanus toxin causes painful muscle stiffening and spasms throughout the body, including the jaw muscles (hence "lockjaw"), potentially interfering with breathing and swallowing. Tetanus enters through wounds, burns, or cuts — it cannot be spread person-to-person.
• Diphtheria: A serious contagious bacterial infection caused by Corynebacterium diphtheriae. Diphtheria can cause a thick membrane to form in the throat, leading to breathing and swallowing problems. Severe cases can cause heart failure, paralysis, and death.

TdVax did NOT protect against pertussis (whooping cough). For pertussis protection, a Tdap vaccine (Adacel or Boostrix) was required.

What Was In TdVax? Ingredients and Composition

Each 0.5 mL dose of TdVax contained:

• 2 Lf (Limit of Flocculation) of tetanus toxoid
• 2 Lf of diphtheria toxoid
• Aluminum adjuvant (not more than 0.53 mg aluminum by assay) — enhances immune response
• Less than 100 mcg (0.02%) of residual formaldehyde — used in the detoxification process
• Trace amount of thimerosal (less than 0.3 mcg mercury/dose) — from the manufacturing media, not used as a preservative

TdVax Dosage and Schedule

TdVax was administered as a 0.5 mL intramuscular injection, typically into the deltoid muscle of the upper arm. It was not self-administered — it required a healthcare provider.

Dosing schedules included:

• Primary immunization series (not previously vaccinated): 2 doses given at least 4 weeks apart, followed by a third (reinforcing) dose 6–12 months later
• Routine booster (previously vaccinated adults): Single 0.5 mL dose every 10 years
• Wound management: A booster dose within 5 years was recommended for severe or dirty wounds; within 10 years for clean minor wounds
• Adolescent booster: A booster dose was recommended for children aged 11–12 years if not previously administered (though ACIP preferred Tdap for this dose)

Who Was TdVax Approved For?

TdVax was FDA-approved for persons 7 years of age and older. It was NOT approved for children under age 7 (who received a different vaccine, DTaP, for primary immunization). TdVax was particularly useful for:

• Adults needing routine 10-year tetanus-diphtheria boosters
• Patients who could not receive the pertussis component (in Tdap vaccines) due to a contraindication
• Adults and adolescents needing wound management tetanus prophylaxis who had already received a Tdap in the current vaccine cycle

What Is the Current Status of TdVax in 2026?

TdVax is permanently discontinued. MassBiologics made the decision to halt production in early 2024. All remaining supply from Grifols USA was exhausted by approximately June 2024. There is no plan to resume production, and no new manufacturer has stepped in to fill the Td-only vaccine gap. Tenivac (Sanofi Pasteur) is now the only FDA-approved Td vaccine in the United States.

What Should I Use Instead of TdVax?

For most patients, the CDC recommends Tdap vaccines — Adacel (Sanofi, ages 10–64) or Boostrix (GSK, ages 10+). These provide all the protection of TdVax plus added whooping cough coverage. If you cannot receive the pertussis component, Tenivac is the remaining Td-only option. For a full guide on alternatives, read: Alternatives to TdVax If You Can't Fill Your Prescription.

If you're having trouble locating Tenivac, Adacel, or Boostrix at a pharmacy near you, medfinder can call pharmacies in your area to find which ones have your vaccine in stock.