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What Is Quadracel?

Quadracel is a prescription combination vaccine used to protect children against diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis, and poliomyelitis. It contains diphtheria and tetanus toxoids, acellular pertussis antigens, and inactivated poliovirus components. Quadracel is approved as a single booster dose for children aged four through six years who meet specified previous vaccination requirements. It is intended to complete recommended childhood vaccine series rather than begin primary immunization. The vaccine is administered by intramuscular injection and does not contain live poliovirus or live pertussis bacteria.

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What Is Quadracel?

Quadracel is a prescription combination vaccine used to protect children against diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis, and poliomyelitis. It contains diphtheria and tetanus toxoids, acellular pertussis antigens, and inactivated poliovirus components. Quadracel is approved as a single booster dose for children aged four through six years who meet specified previous vaccination requirements. It is intended to complete recommended childhood vaccine series rather than begin primary immunization. The vaccine is administered by intramuscular injection and does not contain live poliovirus or live pertussis bacteria.

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How Does Quadracel Work?

Quadracel introduces purified or inactivated components associated with four infectious diseases to stimulate protective immune responses. Diphtheria and tetanus toxoids help the immune system recognize toxins produced by the respective bacteria. Acellular pertussis antigens stimulate antibody responses against selected components of Bordetella pertussis. Inactivated poliovirus antigens stimulate immunity against poliovirus types 1, 2, and 3. The vaccine helps the immune system respond more rapidly after future exposure. It does not treat active diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis, or polio and does not guarantee complete protection in every vaccinated child.

What Diseases Does Quadracel Help Prevent?

Quadracel helps protect against diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis, and poliomyelitis. Diphtheria can cause severe throat and respiratory illness, while tetanus produces dangerous muscle spasms. Pertussis, also called whooping cough, causes prolonged coughing illness and can be particularly serious in young children. Poliomyelitis can damage the nervous system and cause paralysis. Quadracel is approved for children aged four through six years as the fifth dose in the DTaP series and the fourth or fifth dose in the IPV series when previous DTaP doses meet product-specific requirements. It is not intended for routine use in adults.

How Is Quadracel Administered?

Quadracel is administered as a single 0.5 mL intramuscular injection by a healthcare professional. It is used in children aged four through six years who previously received appropriate DTaP doses with Pentacel, DAPTACEL, and/or VAXELIS, according to the current product labeling. It is given as the fifth DTaP dose and the fourth or fifth IPV dose. The vaccine is generally injected into the deltoid muscle of the upper arm. A clinician reviews the child's vaccination record, previous reactions, and medical history before administration. Quadracel should not be used as a substitute for vaccines outside its approved age and schedule requirements.

What Are the Side Effects and Warnings of Quadracel?

Common adverse reactions include injection-site pain, redness, swelling, muscle aches, headache, and general discomfort. Some children may experience fever or fatigue. Serious allergic reactions, including anaphylaxis, are possible. Quadracel should not be administered to children with a history of severe allergic reaction to a previous dose or vaccine component. A history of encephalopathy within seven days after a pertussis-containing vaccine is another contraindication when no other cause is identified. Certain progressive neurological conditions require assessment before vaccination. Difficulty breathing, facial swelling, or other signs of a severe allergic reaction require immediate medical care.

Common Questions About Quadracel

What diseases does Quadracel prevent?

Quadracel helps protect against diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis, and poliomyelitis.

Is Quadracel approved for children?

Yes. Quadracel is approved for children aged four through six years who meet the specified previous vaccination requirements.

How many Quadracel doses are given?

Quadracel is administered as a single booster dose to complete the indicated DTaP and IPV vaccine series.

Is Quadracel a live vaccine?

No. Quadracel contains toxoids, purified pertussis antigens, and inactivated poliovirus components. It does not contain live poliovirus or live pertussis bacteria.

References

DTaP (Diphtheria, Tetanus, Pertussis) Vaccine VIS. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. https://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/hcp/current-vis/dtap.html. Date Accessed November 2, 2026.

Polio Vaccine VIS. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. https://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/hcp/current-vis/polio.html. Date Accessed November 2, 2026.

Quadracel. U.S. Food and Drug Administration. https://www.fda.gov/vaccines-blood-biologics/vaccines/quadracel. Date Accessed November 2, 2026.

Quadracel Product Information. Health Canada. https://health-products.canada.ca/dpd-bdpp/info?code=102368&lang=eng. Date Accessed November 2, 2026.

Vaccine Information Statements. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. https://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/hcp/current-vis/. Date Accessed November 2, 2026.