Diphtheria, hepatitis B, pertussis (acellular), polio, and tetanus vaccine

Diphtheria, pertussis (whooping cough), and tetanus are serious diseases caused by bacteria. Hepatitis B and polio are serious diseases caused by viruses.

Diphtheria causes a thick coating in the nose, throat, and airway. It can lead to breathing problems, paralysis, heart problems, or death.

Hepatitis B causes inflammation of the liver, vomiting, and jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes). Hepatitis can lead to liver cancer, cirrhosis, or death.

Pertussis (whooping cough) causes severe long-lasting coughing episodes that can interfere with eating, drinking, or breathing. Pertussis can lead to pneumonia, seizures, brain damage, and death.

Polio is a life-threatening condition that affects the brain and spinal cord, causing muscle weakness and paralysis. Polio can be fatal if it paralyzes muscles that help you breathe.

Tetanus (lockjaw) causes painful tightening of the muscles that can lead to "locking" of the jaw so the victim cannot open the mouth, swallow, or breathe. Tetanus can lead to death.

Diphtheria, hepatitis B, pertussis, and polio are spread from person to person. Tetanus enters the body through a cut or wound.

The diphtheria, hepatitis B, pertussis (acellular), polio, and tetanus vaccine is used to help prevent these diseases in children who are 6 weeks through 6 years of age (before their seventh birthday) and were born to mothers who are hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg)-negative.

This vaccine helps your child's body develop immunity to these diseases, but will not treat an active infection your child already has.

Like any vaccine, the diphtheria, hepatitis B, pertussis (acellular), polio, and tetanus vaccine may not provide protection from disease in every person.

This vaccine is given as an injection (shot) into a muscle.

This vaccine is given as a series of 3 doses, usually at 2, 4, and 6 months of age. The first dose can be given as early as 6 weeks of age.

Your child's schedule may be different from these guidelines, especially if the child was born prematurely. Follow your doctor's instructions or the schedule suggested by your local health department.

Becoming infected with diphtheria, hepatitis B, pertussis, polio, or tetanus may be much more dangerous to your child's health than getting this vaccine.

Your child should not get this vaccine if he or she has ever had a similar vaccine that caused any of these:

• a severe allergic reaction to a vaccine containing diphtheria, hepatitis B, pertussis, polio, or tetanus, or to any ingredient in this vaccine, such as yeast, neomycin, or polymyxin B;
• decreased consciousness, seizures, or coma within 7 days after getting a pertussis vaccine; or
• nervous system issues or brain disorders (like infantile spasms or uncontrolled epilepsy).

Your child may not be able to receive this vaccine if he or she has ever had a pertussis vaccine that caused:

• within 48 hours after the vaccine--a very high fever (105°F (40.5°C) or higher), excessive crying for 3 hours or more, fainting, or going into shock; or
• within 3 days after the vaccine--a seizure.

Inform the vaccination provider if your child has or has ever had:

• seizures;
• a weak immune system due to illness or from certain medications or cancer treatments; or
• Guillain-Barré syndrome (within 6 weeks after getting a tetanus vaccine).

Also, let the vaccination provider know if your child was born prematurely.

Get emergency medical help if your child shows signs of an allergic reaction: hives, difficulty breathing, swelling of the face, lips, tongue, or throat.

Your child should not receive another shot if he or she had a life-threatening allergic reaction after the first shot.

Keep track of all side effects your child experiences. If the child receives another dose, inform the vaccination provider if the previous shot caused any side effects.

Getting infected with diphtheria, hepatitis B, pertussis, polio, or tetanus may be more harmful to your child's health than receiving the vaccine to protect against it. Like any medicine, this vaccine can cause side effects, but the risk of serious side effects is very low.

Call your child's doctor immediately if your child develops a fever of 105°F (40.5°C) or higher, collapses or has a shock-like episode, or cries continuously for 3 hours or longer within 48 hours after receiving a DTaP-HepB-IPV vaccine or if your child has a seizure within 3 days after receiving the vaccine.

Also contact your doctor right away if the child has:

• high fever;
• fainting; or
• nervous system problems--numbness, pain, tingling, weakness, burning or prickly feeling, vision or hearing problems, trouble breathing.

Common side effects of diphtheria, hepatitis B, pertussis (acellular), polio, and tetanus vaccine may include:

• redness, pain, or swelling at the injection site;
• fever of 100.4 degrees F or higher;
• fussiness, crying more than usual;
• drowsiness; or
• loss of appetite.

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report vaccine side effects to the US Department of Health and Human Services at 1-800-822-7967.

Usual Pediatric Dose for Poliomyelitis Prophylaxis:

0.5 mL intramuscularly at 2, 4, and 6 months of age Comments:-Administer at 6- to 8-week intervals, preferably 8 weeks.-First dose may be given as early as 6 weeks of age.-Three doses of this vaccine constitute a primary immunization course for diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis, and poliomyelitis, and the complete immunization course for hepatitis B.

Usual Pediatric Dose for Diphtheria Prophylaxis:

0.5 mL intramuscularly at 2, 4, and 6 months of age Comments:-Administer at 6- to 8-week intervals, preferably 8 weeks.-First dose may be given as early as 6 weeks of age.-Three doses of this vaccine constitute a primary immunization course for diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis, and poliomyelitis, and the complete immunization course for hepatitis B.

Usual Pediatric Dose for Pertussis Prophylaxis:

0.5 mL intramuscularly at 2, 4, and 6 months of age Comments:-Administer at 6- to 8-week intervals, preferably 8 weeks.-First dose may be given as early as 6 weeks of age.-Three doses of this vaccine constitute a primary immunization course for diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis, and poliomyelitis, and the complete immunization course for hepatitis B.

Usual Pediatric Dose for Tetanus Prophylaxis:

0.5 mL intramuscularly at 2, 4, and 6 months of age Comments:-Administer at 6- to 8-week intervals, preferably 8 weeks.-First dose may be given as early as 6 weeks of age.-Three doses of this vaccine constitute a primary immunization course for diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis, and poliomyelitis, and the complete immunization course for hepatitis B.

Usual Pediatric Dose for Hepatitis B Prophylaxis:

0.5 mL intramuscularly at 2, 4, and 6 months of age Comments:-Administer at 6- to 8-week intervals, preferably 8 weeks.-First dose may be given as early as 6 weeks of age.-Three doses of this vaccine constitute a primary immunization course for diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis, and poliomyelitis, and the complete immunization course for hepatitis B.

Contact your vaccination provider if your child misses a dose or falls behind schedule. The next dose should be given as soon as possible. There is no need to start over.

Make sure your child receives all recommended doses of this vaccine, or the child may not be fully protected against disease.

An overdose of this vaccine is unlikely to happen.

Follow the vaccination provider's instructions regarding any limitations on food, drinks, or activities.

Before your child gets this vaccine, inform the vaccination provider about all other vaccines your child has had recently.

Also, let the vaccination provider know if your child has recently taken any drugs or treatments that can weaken the immune system, such as:

• steroid medicine;
• cancer treatments;
• medicine for psoriasis, rheumatoid arthritis, or other autoimmune disorders; or
• medicines for preventing organ transplant rejection.

This list is not complete. Other medications may impact this vaccine, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Not all possible drug interactions are included here.