3-in-1 teenage booster (Td/IPV)

The 3-in-1 teenage booster (Td/IPV) is given to children at 14 years of age (school Year 9) and is the booster dose of the vaccine which provides young people with long-lasting protection into adulthood against diphtheria, tetanus and polio.

Tetanus

Tetanus is a serious and life-threatening disease which affects the nervous system and can lead to muscle spasms and breathing problems. It is caused when germs found in soil and manure get into the body through open cuts or wounds. Tetanus cannot be passed from person to person and is rare in the UK because of the routine vaccination schedule.

The best way to protect yourself from getting tetanus is to make sure that you’re fully vaccinated against it. The tetanus vaccine is given at:

  • 8, 12 and 16 weeks of age
  • 3 years and 4 months of age
  • 14 years of age 

Diphtheria

Diphtheria is a very contagious bacterial infection and is spread through coughs and sneezes. It usually begins with a sore throat and can quickly cause breathing problems. It can damage the heart and nervous system, and in severe cases, it can kill if it’s not treated quickly.
Diphtheria is rare in the UK because children have routinely been vaccinated against it since the 1940s, but there's a small risk of catching it if you travel to some parts of the world. The best way to protect yourself from getting diphtheria is to make sure that you’re fully vaccinated against it. The vaccine is given at:

  • 8, 12 and 16 weeks of age
  • 3 years and 4 months of age
  • 14 years of age 

Polio

Polio is a serious infection that attacks the nervous system which can cause permanent paralysis of muscles. If the paralysis affects the muscles used for breathing, it can be life threatening.

Polio is usually spread through contact with the poo of an infected person, e.g., from not washing your hands properly and putting them in your mouth or from food or water that has been contaminated. It can also spread through coughs and sneezes; however, this is less common.

The risk of getting polio in the UK is extremely low because of the routine vaccination schedule. There is an extremely small risk of catching it if you travel to some parts of the world where polio is still found, e.g., Afghanistan and Pakistan. The best way to protect yourself from getting polio is to make sure that you’re fully vaccinated against it. The vaccine is given at:

  • 8, 12 and 16 weeks of age
  • 3 years and 4 months of age
  • 14 years of age 


You need a total of 5 doses of tetanus, diphtheria and polio vaccines to build up and keep your immunity. Anyone who has not had or missed their vaccinations should ask their GP surgery for a vaccination appointment. It is never too late to catch up.

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