evidence: Yes. Tdap is often used as a booster. Anyone over age 7 who needs diphtheria, tetanus, and whooping cough vaccines gets Tdap. [...] Both DTaP and Tdap contain vaccines against tetanus, diphtheria, and whooping cough, which is also called pertussis. The vaccine names come from the first letter of each disease it protects against. [...] For adults who need protection against tetanus, diphtheria, and whooping cough, Tdap is used. Even an adult who has never had a tetanus, diphtheria, or whooping cough vaccine gets Tdap.