What are diphtheria, tetanus, and pertussis?

Diphtheria is a bacteria that releases a toxin or poison that can  cause a thick coating in the nose, throat, and airway. This coating can  obstruct breathing leading to suffocation, inflammation of the heart muscle leading to heart failure, and paralysis.

Tetanus is a bacteria that contaminates skin wounds and releases a  toxin that can cause muscle spasm, especially of the jaw (‘lock jaw’),  and paralysis.

Pertussis is a bacteria that leads to paroxysmal coughing spells, difficulty breathing, or periods of absent breathing.  In infants, these periods of paroxysmal coughing and lack of breathing  can be life threatening. Older children can have coughing followed by  the characteristic inspiratory whoop (‘whooping cough’).

What are the diphtheria (D) and tetanus (T) vaccines?

The vaccines consist of toxoids, or inactivated toxins. The toxoid  causes an immune response that creates an antibody against the toxin.

If a child is exposed to the bacteria after receiving the vaccine, his immune system will protect his body against the toxin.

What are the pertussis (P) and acellular pertussis (aP) vaccines?

The old vaccine for pertussis contained killed pertussis cells that  triggered the body to make antibodies against them. This was an  effective vaccine but may have been related to undesirable side effects  including high fever, local soreness and irritability in a small number  of children. Although there has been some controversy regarding the  possibility of the old pertussis vaccine (P) causing epilepsy (a long  term seizure disorder) or encephalopathy, no medical study has been able to prove a relationship between the old vaccine and long-term side effects.

The new acellular pertussis vaccine (aP) is made from pertussis  toxoid (inactivated toxin) and a limited number of surface proteins from  the pertussis bacteria. Previous vaccines had been made from the whole  pertussis bacteria cell. The new vaccine still enables the body to mount  an immune response and create protective antibodies, however, there is a  lower incidence of high fevers and other side effects following  injections of the acellular vaccine (aP) compared to the old vaccine  (P).

What are the side effects of the DTaP vaccine?

The most common side effects of the DTaP vaccine, similar to any  injected vaccine, are pain, irritation, mild redness at the injection  site, and a mild fever. These symptoms may lead to prolonged crying.

More severe reactions are exceedingly rare.

Of the more severe reactions to the old vaccine (DTP), high fever was  the most common, occurring 0.3% of the time (or in 3 in 1000 patients).  The occurrence of high fever following the new DTaP vaccine is even  lower. There are no known long-term effects from this type of fever.

It is not possible to develop diptheria, tetanus, or pertussis by receiving the vaccine.

What is the vaccination schedule for the DTaP vaccine?

Newborn dosing schedule:

• Dose #1 at 2 months

• Dose #2 at 4 months

• Dose #3 at 6 months

• Dose #4 at 15-18 months

• Dose #5 between 4-6 years, before entering school

Older children who have never been vaccinated against DTP should be vaccinated. Call our office for an appointment.

Who should NOT receive the DTaP vaccine?

Anyone with a previous episode of anaphylaxis immediately following the DTP or DTaP vaccine or encephalopathy within 7 days of giving the vaccine.

Others who may wish to discuss postponing administration of the  vaccine include those with a history of seizures, any neurological  disorder, and the following reactions after receiving a previous  vaccine: a seizure, persistant crying for more than three hours, a fever  greater than 104.9 degrees Farenheit (40.5 degrees Celsius), and a  collapse or shock-like state.

These adverse reactions to the DTaP vaccine are rare, and the risk of  getting the diseases and suffering the consequences are higher than the  risk of receiving the vaccine. This vaccine has saved many lives and  much pain and suffering.

Warning signs- Call our office for advice if:

Your child is less than 6 months old and has a temperature greater than 100.4 degrees F, Call Our Office Now.

Your child is older than 6 months and has a temperature greater than 102.5 degrees F, Call Our Office Now.

Your child develops any signs of an allergic reaction including hives, rash, or difficulty breathing, Call Our Office Now.

You have any questions or concerns, or are unsure whether your child’s symptoms are worrisome, Call Our Office Now.