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

Tenivac is a vaccine that protects against two serious bacterial diseases: tetanus and diphtheria. Made by Sanofi Pasteur, it is the only Td (tetanus-diphtheria only) vaccine available in the United States as of 2026. Here is everything patients need to know.

What Is Tenivac Used For?

Tenivac is FDA-approved for active immunization for the prevention of tetanus and diphtheria in persons 7 years of age and older. It has three main clinical uses:

Routine booster: Adults and children 11 years and older receive a booster dose every 10 years to maintain immunity against tetanus and diphtheria.

Primary immunization: For individuals who have never completed a primary vaccination series, Tenivac is given as a 3-dose series to establish foundational immunity.

Wound management: After a cut, puncture wound, animal bite, or burn, Tenivac may be given to prevent tetanus infection, particularly if the patient's vaccination history is incomplete or unknown.

What Is Tetanus and Why Does It Matter?

Tetanus (lockjaw) is caused by the bacteria Clostridium tetani, which lives in soil and enters the body through wounds. It produces a powerful neurotoxin that causes severe, painful muscle spasms — including in the jaw, which can prevent a person from opening their mouth to eat or breathe. Tetanus is potentially fatal and has no antidote; prevention through vaccination is the only reliable protection.

What Is Diphtheria?

Diphtheria is caused by the bacteria Corynebacterium diphtheriae. It spreads from person to person through respiratory droplets. The bacteria produce a toxin that can cause a thick coating in the throat (making it hard to breathe or swallow), heart problems, nerve damage, paralysis, and death. Thanks to widespread vaccination, diphtheria is rare in the US today — but maintaining booster shots keeps it that way.

Tenivac Dosage and Administration

Tenivac comes as a 0.5 mL suspension for injection. It is given as an intramuscular injection (IM) into the deltoid muscle (upper arm). Each dose contains 5 Lf of tetanus toxoid and 2 Lf of diphtheria toxoid.

Primary series (3 doses): Dose 1 at 0 months → Dose 2 at 2 months → Dose 3 at 6–8 months after Dose 2

Routine booster (1 dose): Every 10 years after completing the primary series

Wound prophylaxis (1 dose): When tetanus booster is needed for wound management in patients ages 7 and older

Who Should Get Tenivac?

Anyone 7 years of age and older who is due for a tetanus/diphtheria booster

Children ages 7–9 who need Td immunization (Tdap is only approved starting age 10)

Adults with a documented contraindication to pertussis-containing vaccines (who cannot receive Tdap)

Anyone who sustains a wound and needs tetanus prophylaxis

How Is Tenivac Different from Tdap (Adacel or Boostrix)?

The main difference is the pertussis component. Tenivac is a Td vaccine — it protects against tetanus and diphtheria ONLY. Tdap vaccines (Adacel, Boostrix) also include protection against pertussis (whooping cough). For most adults, the CDC prefers Tdap over Td for routine boosters because it provides additional protection against pertussis.

Tenivac is specifically necessary for patients with a contraindication to pertussis-containing vaccines, and for children ages 7–9 (below Tdap's approved age range). In 2024, Tenivac became the sole US Td vaccine after TdVax (MassBiologics) was discontinued.

Who Should NOT Get Tenivac?

Children under 7 years of age (not approved for this age group)

Anyone with a history of severe allergic reaction (anaphylaxis) to a prior tetanus or diphtheria toxoid-containing vaccine

Patients with a known allergy to any component of Tenivac (including latex allergy for the prefilled syringe version)

To understand how Tenivac works inside your body, see: How Does Tenivac Work? Mechanism of Action Explained in Plain English