Diphtheria, pertussis acellular, polio, tetanus vaccine

Diphtheria, pertussis (whooping cough), and tetanus are serious diseases caused by bacteria. Polio is a serious disease caused by a virus.

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

Pertussis (whooping cough) causes severe long-lasting episodes of cough 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, pertussis, and polio are spread from person to person. Tetanus enters the body through a cut or wound.

The DTaP-IPV vaccine is used to help prevent these diseases in children 4 through 6 years of age who have previously received DTaP and IPV vaccines. This vaccine helps your child's body develop immunity to these diseases, but will not treat an active infection the child already has.

Like any vaccine, the DTaP-IPV 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 to children 4 through 6 years of age as the fifth dose in the DTaP series. It may be the fourth or fifth dose in the IPV series, depending on the vaccine history and the specific DTaP-IPV vaccine being given.

Your child's individual schedule may be different from these guidelines. Follow your doctor's instructions or the schedule recommended by your local health department.

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

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

• a severe allergic reaction to a diphtheria, pertussis, polio, or tetanus (DTaP-IPV) vaccine or any ingredient in the vaccine;
• decreased consciousness, seizures, or coma within 7 days after receiving a pertussis vaccine; or
• nervous system problems or brain disorders (such as 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 longer, fainting, or going into shock; or
• within 3 days after the vaccine--a seizure.

Tell your vaccination provider if your child has or has ever had:

• seizures;
• a weak immune system caused by disease or by taking certain medicines or receiving cancer treatments; or
• Guillain-Barré syndrome (within 6 weeks after receiving a tetanus vaccine).

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 get another shot if they had a life-threatening allergic reaction after the first shot.

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

Becoming infected with diphtheria, pertussis, polio, or tetanus may be more harmful to your child's health than getting the vaccine to prevent it. Like any medicine, this vaccine can cause side effects, but the chance of serious side effects is very low.

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

Also call your doctor right away if your child has:

• fainting; or
• nervous system problems—numbness, pain, tingling, weakness, burning or prickly sensation, vision or hearing problems, trouble breathing.

Common side effects of diphtheria, pertussis acellular, polio, tetanus vaccine may include:

• fever, drowsiness, feeling unwell;
• headache, muscle pain;
• loss of appetite; or
• redness, pain, or swelling where the shot was given.

This is not a complete list of side effects, and others may occur. Call your child's 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:

4 through 6 years old: 0.5 mL intramuscularly once

Usual Pediatric Dose for Diphtheria Prophylaxis:

4 through 6 years old: 0.5 mL intramuscularly once

Usual Pediatric Dose for Pertussis Prophylaxis:

4 through 6 years old: 0.5 mL intramuscularly once

Usual Pediatric Dose for Tetanus Prophylaxis:

4 through 6 years old: 0.5 mL intramuscularly once

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 limits on food, drinks, or activities.

Before getting this vaccine, please 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 could weaken the immune system, which includes:

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

If your child is taking any of these medications, he or she may not be able to receive the vaccine, or may need to wait until those treatments are completed.

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