Diphtheria Tetanus And Pertussis Vaccination

What are diphtheria, tetanus, and pertussis?

• Diphtheria is a serious bacterial (germ) infection that may spread from person to person. The infection causes a thick covering in the back of your mouth and throat. The covering may block your airway, cause lung problems, and lead to muscle paralysis (unable to move). Diphtheria may also lead to heart failure and death.
  
  
• Tetanus is caused by a germ that is often found in dirt, manure, and dust. The germ enters the body through open skin such as cuts and wounds. Tetanus may cause spasms (tightening) of your muscles that are painful. Lockjaw may also occur, which makes it hard to open your mouth or swallow. Spasms may cause breathing problems, bone fractures (breaks), and may cause death.
  
  
• Pertussis , also called whooping cough, is very contagious (easily spread from person to person). Pertussis causes bad coughing spells. Periods of rapid coughing with no break may occur, making it hard to eat, drink, or breathe. The coughing spells may cause you to throw up, become dizzy, and may cause your ribs to break. At the end of a coughing spell, you may make a whooping sound when you breathe in. Pertussis may lead to lung problems, convulsions (uncontrolled shaking), brain damage, and death.

What are vaccines?

Vaccines help decrease your risk of becoming infected with certain germs. Vaccines help your body make antibodies against the germs. Antibodies are special cells in your blood that help protect your body and fight infection. After you receive a vaccine, the antibodies become active and fight the germs, often preventing the disease. The vaccines used to help prevent diphtheria, tetanus, and pertussis include the DTP, DTaP, Tdap, and Td.

What are booster shots?

Years after you get a vaccine, your body may lose its protection from the disease. Because of this, booster shots are given. A booster shot is given to increase the number of protective antibodies in your blood. The Tdap and Td vaccines are used as booster shots in older children and adults.

Where are vaccines and booster shots given?

• Infants and small children will usually be given a shot in their thigh muscle.
  
  
• Older children and adults will usually be given shots in their upper arm muscle.

What is the DTP vaccine?

The DTP vaccine is made from dead pertussis germs, and the toxoids (toxins) of diphtheria and tetanus germs. Toxoids are also dead and help your body's defense system fight infection. This vaccine is no longer used in the United States.

What is the DTaP vaccine?

The DTaP vaccine is the shot currently used in the United States for children. The DTaP is given to help prevent diphtheria, tetanus, and pertussis. The DTaP vaccine uses acellular pertussis. This means that only parts of the pertussis germ are in the vaccine.

Who should get the DTaP vaccine, and when?

• Infants and children 6 weeks to 6 years of age: Children usually get 5 doses of the DTaP vaccine. The number and schedule of DTaP shots (doses) depend on the person's age. The DTaP vaccine is only given to children younger than 7 years old. How many shots your child gets will also depend on whether he had any previous shots. Your child may get the first dose as early as 6 weeks of age. This vaccine may be given at the same time as other vaccines. DTaP is usually given to your child as follows:
  
  
  • The first dose at 2 months old
    
    
  • A dose at 4 months old
    
    
  • A dose at 6 months old
    
    
  • A booster shot at 15 to 18 months old
    
    
  • Another booster shot at 4 to 6 years old
  
  

What if my child misses a scheduled shot of the DTaP vaccine?

If your child misses a scheduled DTaP shot, the remaining shots should still be given. The next dose should be given as soon as possible. There is no need to give extra doses or start the entire series of the vaccine over. Ask your child's caregiver what to do if a dose of the DTaP vaccine is missed.

What is the Tdap vaccine?

The Tdap vaccine is the booster shot used to help prevent diphtheria, tetanus, and pertussis. This vaccine contains tetanus, reduced (decreased) diphtheria toxoid, and acellular pertussis. The Tdap vaccine is given to adolescents and adults.

Who should get the Tdap vaccine, and when?

The Tdap vaccine is given only once and is for people between 11 and 64 years of age.

• Children 7 to 10 years of age: Your child should get 1 dose of the Tdap vaccine if he has not been fully vaccinated with DTaP.
  
  
• Adolescents 11 to 18 years of age: Your child should get 1 booster dose of the Tdap vaccine if:
  
  
  • He received the DTaP or DTP shots as a young child, and has not had a Td booster. The best age to get the Tdap vaccine is 11 to 12 years.
    
    
  • He is between 11 and 18 years old and has never had a Tdap shot. He should receive a Td booster shot every 10 years thereafter.
    
    
  • If he received a booster of the Td vaccine, a Tdap dose is advised to protect him from pertussis. Your child should get the Tdap shot about 5 years after he received the Td booster. If your child is at increased risk for pertussis, his caregiver may give him the Tdap shot sooner.
    
    
  • Adolescents who are pregnant and have not received a Tdap shot should receive one during the end of the second trimester or during the third. The shot can also be given immediately after she gives birth.
  
  
• Adults 19 to 64 years of age: You should receive 1 dose of Tdap if:
  
  
  • Your vaccine history is incomplete.
    
    
  • You completed the DTaP or DTP series but have not had a Td booster.
    
    
  • You are a healthcare worker and have close contact with patients.
    
    
  • You have any close contact with a baby younger than 12 months old. The Tdap vaccine may be given within 2 weeks of the close contact.
    
    
  • You have a severe (very bad) cut or burn.
    
    
  • You have just had a baby.
  
  
• Adults 65 years of age and older: You should receive 1 dose of Tdap if:
  
  
  • You have never received a Tdap vaccine.
    
    
  • You have any close contact with a baby younger than 12 months old.

What is the Td vaccine?

The Td vaccine is the booster shot used to help prevent diphtheria and tetanus. This vaccine contains tetanus and diphtheria toxoids only. It does not contain the pertussis vaccine.

Who should get the Td vaccine, and when?

The Td vaccine may be given to adolescents and adults at the following times:

• Every 10 years as a booster shot.
  
  
• Five years after you get a Td shot if you have a new wound. Examples of a wound are a cut, burn, or animal bite. If you or your child has a new wound and has had the Tdap, then the Td vaccine is given.
  
  
• Pregnant women should ask their caregiver about getting the Td shot.

What should I do if the vaccine history is not known?

Adults and children 7 years or older should receive a series of 3 shots. The series includes 1 Tdap shot and 2 Td shots. After the first shot is given, the other 2 shots should be given as follows:

• The second shot at least 4 weeks after the first.
  
  
• The third shot should be given 6 to 12 months after the second.

Who should not get the diphtheria, tetanus, and pertussis vaccine?

The vaccine should not be given if:

• You or your child had a severe allergic response after you got the vaccine in the past. A severe allergic response may appear as a bad rash that spreads all over your body. It may cause trouble breathing and may be life-threatening.
  
  
• You or your child developed encephalopathy within 7 days of getting the vaccine. Encephalopathy is a brain sickness that may cause unusual drowsiness (sleepiness), confusion, seizures (convulsions), or coma. A coma is when a person is alive but unconscious.
  
  
• If you or your child has had a severe reaction to latex, ask the caregiver whether you should be vaccinated.

Who should wait to get the diphtheria, tetanus, and pertussis vaccine?

The vaccine may be delayed if you or your child is very ill. The sickness may be with or without fever. You or your child may get the vaccine when the illness has gone away. The vaccine may also be delayed for any of the following reasons:

• You or your child has a brain disorder, epilepsy, or infantile spasms that are not managed with medicines.
  
  
• Your child developed a high fever within 2 days after getting the vaccine in the past.
  
  
• You or your child developed Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS) within 6 weeks of getting a tetanus vaccine. Ask a caregiver for more information about GBS.
  
  
• You or your child had an Arthus reaction after your last diphtheria, tetanus, and pertussis vaccine. An Arthus reaction is a type of allergy where your blood vessels swell and tissues are destroyed. If you had this reaction, you should get the vaccine no more than every 10 years.
  
  
• Your child had convulsions (seizures) within 3 days of getting the vaccine in the past.
  
  
• You or your child had low blood pressure, or fainted within 2 days of getting the vaccine in the past.
  
  
• Your child cried for more than 3 hours within the first 2 days of getting a vaccine in the past.

What are the risks of getting the diphtheria, tetanus, and pertussis vaccine?

The risks of having the diphtheria, tetanus, or pertussis diseases are greater than the risks of the vaccine. The area where the vaccine was given may be sore, red, tender, or swollen. The vaccine may cause an allergic response. Signs of an allergic response may include hives or swelling of your face. Hives are red, itchy bumps on your skin. You may have trouble breathing or swallowing. You may suddenly feel very tired or weak. As with any vaccine, there is a very small chance that it could cause serious harm or death. Talk to your caregiver if you have questions or concerns about getting the vaccine.

What are the signs and symptoms of an allergic response to the vaccine?

You or your child may have any of the following after you receive the vaccine against diphtheria, tetanus, and pertussis:

• Mild to moderate reactions: If you have any of the following, call your caregiver .
  
  
  • Fever, chills, or headache.
    
    
  • Nausea (upset stomach), vomiting (throwing up), or diarrhea.
    
    
  • Pain, redness, or swelling in the area where the shot was given.
    
    
  • Tiredness, body aches, or joint pain.
  
  
• Severe reactions: If you have any of the following, seek medical care immediately or call 911 .
  
  
  • Hives or a rash that spreads over the body. Hives are red, itchy bumps that may cause the skin to feel like it is burning.
    
    
  • Weakness, dizziness, or a fast heartbeat.
    
    
  • Trouble thinking clearly or changes in behavior.
    
    
  • Convulsions (uncontrolled shaking) or passing out.
    
    
  • Swelling of the lips, tongue, or throat.
    
    
  • Wheezing or trouble breathing.

What should I do if I have an allergic response to the vaccine?

• If you or your child has signs and symptoms of a serious response, seek medical care immediately . If an allergic response occurs, you or your child should lie down with your legs propped up and call 911. Tell caregivers that you or your child received the vaccine. Tell them the date and time it was given.
  
  

For more information:

• The National Immunization Program Public Inquiries
  1600 Clifton Road, Mailstop E-05
  Atlanta , GA 30333
  Phone: 1- 800 - 232-4636
  Web Address: http://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/
  

Care Agreement

You have the right to help plan your care or your child's care. To help with this plan, you must learn about your or your child's health. You must also learn how health conditions may be prevented. You can then discuss treatment options with your caregivers. Work with your caregivers to decide what you can do to protect yours and your child's health. You always have the right to refuse treatment.

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The above information is an educational aid only. It is not intended as medical advice for individual conditions or treatments. Talk to your doctor, nurse or pharmacist before following any medical regimen to see if it is safe and effective for you.

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