Diphtheria, tetanus, acellular pertussis vaccine

Diphtheria, tetanus, and pertussis are serious diseases caused by bacteria.

Diphtheria can cause breathing problems, paralysis, heart failure, or death.

Tetanus (lockjaw) causes painful muscle tightening that can lead to "locking" of the jaw, making it impossible to open the mouth, swallow, or breathe. Tetanus can lead to death.

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

Diphtheria and pertussis spread from person to person. Tetanus enters the body through a cut or wound.

The diphtheria, tetanus, acellular pertussis pediatric vaccine (also called DTaP) is used to help prevent these diseases in children. This vaccine helps your body build immunity to the disease but will not treat an already active infection.

DTaP vaccine is for use in children between the ages of 6 weeks and 6 years old (before the child has reached his or her 7th birthday).

Like any vaccine, the DTaP vaccine may not protect every person from disease.

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

This vaccine is given as a series of 5 doses. It is usually given at 2, 4, and 6 months of age, followed by one dose at 15 to 20 months of age and another dose at 4 to 6 years of age.

The timing of this vaccination is very important for it to work well. Your child's specific booster schedule may be different from these guidelines. Follow your child's doctor's instructions or the schedule suggested by your local health department.

Your child may receive other vaccines at the same time as this vaccine.

Your child may be given other medications to help prevent certain serious side effects or allergic reactions. Keep taking these medicines for as long as your doctor has prescribed.

Getting diphtheria, pertussis, or tetanus is much more harmful 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 the following:

• a severe allergic reaction to a diphtheria, tetanus, acellular pertussis vaccine or any ingredient in the vaccine;
• nervous system problems or brain disorders (such as infantile spasms or uncontrolled epilepsy); or
• decreased consciousness, seizures, or coma within 7 days after getting a pertussis vaccine.

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

Tell the vaccination provider if your child was born prematurely or has a seizure disorder.

The pediatric version of this vaccine (Daptacel, Infanrix) should not be given to a child who is 7 years or older.

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

Your child should not get the second 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 gets a booster dose, inform the vaccination provider if the previous shot caused any side effects.

Getting infected with diphtheria, pertussis, 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 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 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 feeling, vision or hearing issues, trouble breathing.

Common side effects include:

• pain, redness, tenderness, or swelling at the injection site;
• fussiness or unusual crying;
• fever;
• drowsiness, tiredness; or
• loss of appetite.

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

Usual Pediatric Dose for Diphtheria Prophylaxis:

6 weeks to 6 years: 0.5 mL intramuscularly at 2, 4, and 6 months old, then again between 15 to 20 months old and at 4 to 6 years of ageComments:-The first dose may be given as early as 6 weeks of age.

Usual Pediatric Dose for Pertussis Prophylaxis:

6 weeks to 6 years: 0.5 mL intramuscularly at 2, 4, and 6 months old, then again between 15 to 20 months old and at 4 to 6 years of ageComments:-The first dose may be given as early as 6 weeks of age.

Usual Pediatric Dose for Tetanus Prophylaxis:

6 weeks to 6 years: 0.5 mL intramuscularly at 2, 4, and 6 months old, then again between 15 to 20 months old and at 4 to 6 years of ageComments:-The first dose may be given as early as 6 weeks of age.

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 they may not be fully protected against disease.

An overdose of this vaccine is not likely to happen.

Follow the vaccination provider's instructions about any limits on food, drinks, or activities.

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

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

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

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