Diphtheria, tetanus, acellular pertussis vaccine

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

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

Pertussis (whooping cough) causes coughing so severe that it interferes with eating, drinking, or breathing. These spells can last for weeks and can lead to pneumonia, seizures (convulsions), brain damage, and 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 the mouth or swallow. Tetanus leads to death in about 1 out of 10 cases.

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

The diphtheria, tetanus acellular, and pertussis pediatric vaccine (also called DTaP) is used to help prevent these diseases in children who are ages 6 weeks to 6 years old (before the child has reached his or her 7th birthday).

This vaccine works by exposing your child to a small dose of the bacteria or a protein from the bacteria, which causes the body to develop immunity to the disease. This vaccine will not treat an active infection that has already developed in the body.

Like any vaccine, the DTaP vaccine may not provide protection from disease in every person.

This vaccine is given in a series of shots. The first shot is usually given when the child is 2 months old. The booster shots are then given at 4 months, 6 months, 15 months, and 18 months of age, and again between 4 and 6 years of age. Your child's booster schedule may be different from these guidelines. Follow your doctor's instructions or the schedule recommended by your local health department.

Be sure your child receives all recommended doses of this vaccine. Your child may not be fully protected against disease if he or she does not receive the full series.

Your child can still receive a vaccine if he or she has a minor cold. In the case of a more severe illness with a fever or any type of infection, wait until the child gets better before receiving this vaccine.

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

Keep track of any and all side effects your child has after receiving this vaccine. When the child receives a booster dose, you will need to tell the doctor if the previous shot caused any side effects.

Becoming infected with diphtheria, pertussis, or tetanus is much more dangerous to your child's health than receiving this vaccine. However, like any medicine, this vaccine can cause side effects but the risk of serious side effects is extremely low.

Follow your doctor's instructions about any restrictions on food, beverages, or activity.

Usual Pediatric Dose for Diphtheria Prophylaxis:

Primary Immunization Series:

DAPTACEL (R):
6 weeks to 6 years (prior to seventh birthday): 0.5 mL IM given as a 4 dose series at 2,4, and 6 months of age, at intervals of 6 to 8 weeks and at 17 to 20 months of age. The interval between the 3rd and 4th dose should be at least 6 months.

INFANRIX (R):
6 weeks to 7 years (prior to seventh birthday): 0.5 mL IM given as a 5 dose series. The series consists of a primary immunization course of 3 doses administered at 2,4, and 6 months of age, followed by 2 booster doses, administered at 15 to 20 months of age and at 4 to 6 years of age. The recommended interval between the first three doses is 8 weeks, with a minimum interval of 4 weeks. The recommended interval between the 3rd and 4th dose is 6 to 12 months. The fifth dose is recommended before entry into kindergarten or elementary school, and is not needed if the fourth dose was given after the fourth birthday.

Tripedia (R):
6 weeks to 7 years (prior to seventh birthday): 0.5 mL IM given as a 5 dose series. The series consists of a primary immunization course of 3 doses administered at 2,4, and 6 months of age, followed by 2 booster doses, administered at 15 to 18 months of age and at 4 to 6 years of age. The recommended interval between the first three doses is 8 weeks, with a minimum interval of 4 weeks. The recommended interval between the 3rd and 4th dose is 6 to 12 months. The fifth dose is recommended before entry into kindergarten or elementary school, and is not needed if the fourth dose was given after the fourth birthday.

Booster Immunization:

BOOSTRIX (R):
10 to 18 years: 0.5 mL IM once. Five years should have elapsed between the administration of BOOSTRIX and the last dose of the recommended series of childhood DTwP and/or DTaP vaccine. Adolescents 10 to 18 years old that have completed a primary series against tetanus and who sustain wounds which are minor and uncomplicated, should receive a booster dose of a tetanus toxoid containing vaccine only if they have not received a tetanus toxoid within the preceding 10 years.

ADACEL (R):
11 to 18 years: 0.5 mL IM once. Individuals who have completed a primary series against tetanus and who sustain wounds which are minor and uncomplicated, should receive a booster dose of a tetanus toxoid containing vaccine only if they have not received a tetanus toxoid within the preceding 10 years. For tetanus prone wounds, a booster is appropriate if the patient has not received a tetanus toxoid containing preparation within the preceding 5 years.

Usual Pediatric Dose for Pertussis Prophylaxis:

Primary Immunization Series:

DAPTACEL (R):
6 weeks to 6 years (prior to seventh birthday): 0.5 mL IM given as a 4 dose series at 2,4, and 6 months of age, at intervals of 6 to 8 weeks and at 17 to 20 months of age. The interval between the 3rd and 4th dose should be at least 6 months.

INFANRIX (R):
6 weeks to 7 years (prior to seventh birthday): 0.5 mL IM given as a 5 dose series. The series consists of a primary immunization course of 3 doses administered at 2,4, and 6 months of age, followed by 2 booster doses, administered at 15 to 20 months of age and at 4 to 6 years of age. The recommended interval between the first three doses is 8 weeks, with a minimum interval of 4 weeks. The recommended interval between the 3rd and 4th dose is 6 to 12 months. The fifth dose is recommended before entry into kindergarten or elementary school, and is not needed if the fourth dose was given after the fourth birthday.

Tripedia (R):
6 weeks to 7 years (prior to seventh birthday): 0.5 mL IM given as a 5 dose series. The series consists of a primary immunization course of 3 doses administered at 2,4, and 6 months of age, followed by 2 booster doses, administered at 15 to 18 months of age and at 4 to 6 years of age. The recommended interval between the first three doses is 8 weeks, with a minimum interval of 4 weeks. The recommended interval between the 3rd and 4th dose is 6 to 12 months. The fifth dose is recommended before entry into kindergarten or elementary school, and is not needed if the fourth dose was given after the fourth birthday.

Booster Immunization:

BOOSTRIX (R):
10 to 18 years: 0.5 mL IM once. Five years should have elapsed between the administration of BOOSTRIX and the last dose of the recommended series of childhood DTwP and/or DTaP vaccine. Adolescents 10 to 18 years old that have completed a primary series against tetanus and who sustain wounds which are minor and uncomplicated, should receive a booster dose of a tetanus toxoid containing vaccine only if they have not received a tetanus toxoid within the preceding 10 years.

ADACEL (R):
11 to 18 years: 0.5 mL IM once. Individuals who have completed a primary series against tetanus and who sustain wounds which are minor and uncomplicated, should receive a booster dose of a tetanus toxoid containing vaccine only if they have not received a tetanus toxoid within the preceding 10 years. For tetanus prone wounds, a booster is appropriate if the patient has not received a tetanus toxoid containing preparation within the preceding 5 years.

Usual Pediatric Dose for Tetanus Prophylaxis:

Primary Immunization Series:

DAPTACEL (R):
6 weeks to 6 years (prior to seventh birthday): 0.5 mL IM given as a 4 dose series at 2,4, and 6 months of age, at intervals of 6 to 8 weeks and at 17 to 20 months of age. The interval between the 3rd and 4th dose should be at least 6 months.

INFANRIX (R):
6 weeks to 7 years (prior to seventh birthday): 0.5 mL IM given as a 5 dose series. The series consists of a primary immunization course of 3 doses administered at 2,4, and 6 months of age, followed by 2 booster doses, administered at 15 to 20 months of age and at 4 to 6 years of age. The recommended interval between the first three doses is 8 weeks, with a minimum interval of 4 weeks. The recommended interval between the 3rd and 4th dose is 6 to 12 months. The fifth dose is recommended before entry into kindergarten or elementary school, and is not needed if the fourth dose was given after the fourth birthday.

Tripedia (R):
6 weeks to 7 years (prior to seventh birthday): 0.5 mL IM given as a 5 dose series. The series consists of a primary immunization course of 3 doses administered at 2,4, and 6 months of age, followed by 2 booster doses, administered at 15 to 18 months of age and at 4 to 6 years of age. The recommended interval between the first three doses is 8 weeks, with a minimum interval of 4 weeks. The recommended interval between the 3rd and 4th dose is 6 to 12 months. The fifth dose is recommended before entry into kindergarten or elementary school, and is not needed if the fourth dose was given after the fourth birthday.

Booster Immunization:

BOOSTRIX (R):
10 to 18 years: 0.5 mL IM once. Five years should have elapsed between the administration of BOOSTRIX and the last dose of the recommended series of childhood DTwP and/or DTaP vaccine. Adolescents 10 to 18 years old that have completed a primary series against tetanus and who sustain wounds which are minor and uncomplicated, should receive a booster dose of a tetanus toxoid containing vaccine only if they have not received a tetanus toxoid within the preceding 10 years.

ADACEL (R):
11 to 18 years: 0.5 mL IM once. Individuals who have completed a primary series against tetanus and who sustain wounds which are minor and uncomplicated, should receive a booster dose of a tetanus toxoid containing vaccine only if they have not received a tetanus toxoid within the preceding 10 years. For tetanus prone wounds, a booster is appropriate if the patient has not received a tetanus toxoid containing preparation within the preceding 5 years.

Before receiving this vaccine, tell the doctor about all other vaccines your child has recently received.

Also tell the doctor if your child has recently received drugs or treatments that can weaken the immune system, including:

• an oral, nasal, inhaled, or injectable steroid medicine;

• medications to treat psoriasis, rheumatoid arthritis, or other autoimmune disorders, such as azathioprine (Imuran), efalizumab (Raptiva), etanercept (Enbrel), leflunomide (Arava), and others; or

• medicines to treat or prevent organ transplant rejection, such as basiliximab (Simulect), cyclosporine (Sandimmune, Neoral, Gengraf), muromonab-CD3 (Orthoclone), mycophenolate mofetil (CellCept), sirolimus (Rapamune), or tacrolimus (Prograf).

This list is not complete and other drugs may interact with this vaccine. Tell your doctor about all medications you use. This includes prescription, over-the-counter, vitamin, and herbal products. Do not start a new medication without telling your doctor.