Diphtheria, tetanus, and pertussis are serious diseases caused by bacteria.
Diphtheria causes a thick coating in the nose, throat, and airway. It can lead to breathing
problems, paralysis, heart failure, and even death.
Tetanus (lockjaw) causes painful tightening of the muscles, usually all over the body. It
can lead to "locking” of the jaw so the victim cannot open his mouth or swallow. Tetanus leads to
death in about 1 out of 10 cases.
Pertussis (whooping cough) causes coughing so severe that it is hard for infants to eat,
drink, or breathe. These spells can last for weeks. It can lead to pneumonia, seizures
(convulsions), brain damage, and death.
Diphtheria and pertussis are spread from person to person. Tetanus enters the body
through cuts or wounds. Vaccines for these diseases expose the individual to a small amount of
the bacteria, helping the body develop immunity to the disease.
Diphtheria, tetanus, and pertussis vaccine (DTaP) can help prevent these diseases. Most
children who are vaccinated with DTaP will be protected throughout childhood.
This vaccine is given as an injection into a muscle. A doctor, nurse, or other healthcare
provider will give this injection.
Children should get 5 doses of DTaP vaccine, one dose at each of the following ages: 2
months, 4 months, 6 months, 15 to 18 months, and 4 to 6 years. The series should be completed
before the child’s seventh birthday.
Your doctor may recommend reducing fever and pain by giving the child an aspirin-free
pain reliever such as acetaminophen (Tylenol, Tempra, others) or ibuprofen (Motrin, Advil,
others) when the shot is given and for the next 24 hours. Your healthcare provider can tell you
the appropriate dosages of these medications. Controlling fever is especially important for
children who have had seizures for any reason, or if a family member has had seizures.
Keep track of any and all side effects your child has after receiving this vaccine. When
the child receives the next booster dose, you will need to tell the doctor if the first shot caused
any side effects. Getting diphtheria, tetanus, or pertussis disease is much riskier than getting
DTaP vaccine. However, like any medicine, this vaccine, can cause side effects. The risk of
DTaP vaccine causing a serious side effect is extremely small.
Get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic
reaction: hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.
Call your doctor at once if the child has any of the following serious side effects:
loss of consciousness;
seizure (black-out or convulsions);
high fever, over 105 degrees; or
non-stop crying for 3 hours or more.
Other less serious side effects may be more likely to occur. Talk to
your doctor if your child has:
mild fever;
redness, pain, tenderness, or swelling where the shot was
given;
fussiness for 1-3 days after the shot;
tiredness or poor appetite for 1-3 days after the shot; or
vomiting for 1-3 days after the shot.
Side effects other than those listed here may also occur. Talk to your
doctor about any side effect that seems unusual or that is especially bothersome.
To help reduce fever and pain, your doctor may recommend giving the child an
aspirin-free pain reliever such as acetaminophen (Tylenol, Tempra, others) or ibuprofen (Motrin,
Advil). This may be given at the time of the shot and over the next 24 hours. Your doctor will
tell you the correct dose to use. Controlling fever is especially important if the child has a history
of seizures.
Before receiving the DTaP vaccine, tell the doctor if the child is using any of the
following medications:
an oral, nasal, inhaled, or injectable steroid medicine;
cancer chemotherapy or radiation;
azathioprine (Imuran);
basiliximab (Simulect);
cyclosporine (Sandimmune, Neoral, Gengraf);
etanercept (Enbrel);
leflunomide (Arava);
muromonab-CD3 (Orthoclone);
mycophenolate mofetil (CellCept);
sirolimus (Rapamune); or
tacrolimus (Prograf).
There may be other drugs not listed that can affect the DTaP vaccine.
Tell your doctor about all the prescription and over-the-counter medications the child uses. This
includes vitamins, minerals, herbal products, and drugs prescribed by other doctors.
Children should get 5 doses of DTaP vaccine, one dose at each of the following ages: 2
months, 4 months, 6 months, 15 to 18 months, and 4 to 6 years. The series should be completed
before the child’s seventh birthday.
Keep track of any and all side effects your child has after receiving this vaccine. When
the child receives the next booster dose, you will need to tell the doctor if the first shot caused
any side effects. Getting diphtheria, tetanus, or pertussis disease is much riskier than getting
DTaP vaccine. However, like any medicine, this vaccine can cause side effects. The risk of
DTaP vaccine causing a serious side effect is extremely small.
Any child who had a life-threatening allergic reaction after a dose of DTaP should
not receive another dose.
Any child who has had encephalitis (brain swelling) or a brain or nervous system
disease within 7 days after a dose of DTaP should not receive another dose.
Children with a cold or fever can still be vaccinated. Children who are moderately or
severely ill should usually wait until they recover before getting DTaP vaccine.
Any child who had a life-threatening allergic reaction after a dose of DTaP should
not receive another dose.
Any child who has had encephalitis (brain swelling) or a brain or nervous system
disease within 7 days after a dose of DTaP should not receive another dose.
Before receiving DTaP vaccine, talk to your doctor if your child:
had a seizure or collapsed after a dose of DTaP;
cried non-stop for 3 hours or more after a dose of DTaP;
had a fever over 105 degrees after a dose of DTaP;
developed Guillian-Barre syndrome within 6 weeks after a
prior tetanus shot;
has HIV or AIDS or another disease that affects the immune
system;
is taking a medication that affects the immune system
(steroids, anti-rejection medications after a transplant);
has a bleeding disorder or takes blood thinners (such as
warfarin or Coumadin);
has cancer; or
is receiving cancer treatment with x-rays, radiation, or
medication.
If the child has any of these conditions, he or she may not be able to
receive DTaP.
Children with a cold or fever can still be vaccinated. Children who are moderately or
severely ill should usually wait until they recover before getting DTaP vaccine.
FDA pregnancy category C: This medication may be harmful to an unborn baby and
should not be given to a woman who is pregnant.
Remember, keep this and all other medicines out of the reach of children, never share
medicines with others, and use this medication only for the indication prescribed.
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