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<p>The diphtheria, tetanus, and pertussis (DTaP) vaccine protects against:</p>

<ul>
	<li><a href="https://kidshealth.org/en/parents/diphtheria.html">Diphtheria</a>: a serious infection of the throat that can block the airway and cause severe breathing difficulty</li>
	<li><a href="https://kidshealth.org/en/parents/tetanus.html">Tetanus</a>&nbsp;(lockjaw): a nerve disease, which can occur at any age, caused by toxin-producing bacteria contaminating a wound</li>
	<li><a href="https://kidshealth.org/en/parents/whooping-cough.html">Pertussis (whooping cough)</a>: a respiratory illness with cold symptoms that progress to severe coughing (the &quot;whooping&quot; sound occurs when the child breathes in deeply after a severe coughing bout). Serious complications of pertussis can occur in children under 1 year of age, and those under 6 months old are especially at risk. Teens and adults with a persistent cough might not realize they have pertussis, and could pass it to vulnerable infants.</li>
</ul>

<h3><a id="1" name="1">Immunization Schedule</a></h3>

<p>DTaP immunizations are given as a series of five injections, usually administered at ages:</p>

<ul>
	<li>2 months</li>
	<li>4 months</li>
	<li>6 months</li>
	<li>15&ndash;18 months</li>
	<li>4&ndash;6 years</li>
</ul>

<p>After the initial series of immunizations, a vaccine called Tdap (the booster shot) should be given at ages 11 to 12, or to older teens and adults who haven&#39;t yet received a booster with pertussis coverage. Then, Td (tetanus and diphtheria) boosters are recommended every 10 years. Pregnant women should also get the Tdap&nbsp;vaccine in the second half of&nbsp;<em>each</em>&nbsp;pregnancy, even if they&#39;ve been vaccinated in the past. And Tdap can be given after a deep cut or severe burn to prevent tetanus infection.</p>

<h3><a id="2" name="2">Why the Vaccine Is Recommended</a></h3>

<p>Use of the DTaP vaccine has virtually eliminated diphtheria and tetanus in childhood and has markedly reduced the number of pertussis cases.</p>

<h3><a id="3" name="3">Possible Risks</a></h3>

<p>The vaccine frequently causes mild side effects: fever; mild crankiness; tiredness; loss of appetite; and tenderness, redness, or swelling in the area where the shot was given.</p>

<p>Rarely, a child may have a seizure or cry uncontrollably after getting the vaccine. But these sorts of side effects are so rare that researchers question whether they&#39;re even caused by the vaccine. Most kids have a few minor or no side effects.</p>

<h3><a id="4" name="4"><strong>When to Delay or Avoid Immunization</strong></a></h3>

<p>The vaccine is not recommended if your child is currently sick, although simple colds or other minor illnesses should&nbsp;<strong>not</strong>&nbsp;prevent immunization.</p>

<p>Talk to your doctor about whether getting the vaccine is a good idea if your child experienced any of the following after an earlier DTaP shot:</p>

<ul>
	<li>a brain or nervous-system problem, like a seizure</li>
	<li>the worsening of a seizure disorder</li>
	<li>an allergic reaction, like mouth, throat, or facial swelling</li>
	<li><a href="https://kidshealth.org/en/parents/fever.html">fever</a>&nbsp;of 105&deg;F (40.5&deg;C) or higher during the first 2 days after injection</li>
	<li>collapse or a &quot;shock&quot;-like state during the first 2 days after injection</li>
	<li>persistent, uncontrolled crying that lasts for more than 3 hours during the first 2 days after injection</li>
</ul>

<p>Your doctor might decide to just give a partial vaccine or no vaccine, or may determine that the benefits of vaccinating your child outweigh the potential risks.</p>

<h3><a id="5" name="5">Caring for Your Child After Immunization</a></h3>

<p>Your child may experience fever, soreness, and some swelling and redness in the area where the shot was given. Depending on your child&#39;s age, pain and fever may be treated with acetaminophen or ibuprofen. Check with your doctor to see if you can give either medication, and to find out the appropriate dose.</p>

<p>A warm, damp cloth or a heating pad also can help reduce soreness. Moving or using the limb that has received the injection often reduces the soreness.</p>

<h3><a id="6" name="6">When to Call the Doctor</a></h3>

<ul>
	<li>Call if you aren&#39;t sure whether the vaccine should be postponed or avoided. Children who have had certain problems with the DTaP vaccine usually can safely receive the Td (tetanus and diphtheria) vaccine.</li>
	<li>Call if complications or severe symptoms develop after immunization, including seizures, fever above 105&deg;F (40.5&deg;C), difficulty breathing or other signs of allergy, shock or collapse, or uncontrolled crying for more than 3 hours.</li>
</ul>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>Source:</strong>&nbsp;<a href="https://kidshealth.org/en/parents/dtap-vaccine.html?ref=search">https://kidshealth.org/en/parents/dtap-vaccine.html?ref=search</a></p>
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