Saturday, February, 11, 2012

Pertussis - vaccine

Table of Contents

The DTaP vaccine is a "3-in-1" vaccine that protects against diphtheria, pertussis, and tetanus. It can be given to children less than 7 years old. It is given by injection, usually into the arm or the thigh.The DTaP is less likely to cause reactions than the older DTP.

IMMUNIZATION SCHEDULE

Pertussis vaccination is one of the recommended childhood immunizations and should begin during infancy. Pertussis immunization is generally required before starting school. A five-dose series is recommended.

DTaP immunization is series of injections given to children at ages 2 months, 4 months, 6 months and 15-18 months. A booster is given before starting school (age 4-6 years). A different vaccine, the DT vaccine, may be given if there is a medical reason why the child should not receive the pertussis vaccine -- such as allergic reaction.

In spring 2005, the FDA approved 2 new booster vaccines (Boostrix and Adacel) against pertussis in combination with tetanus and diphtheria for adolescents and adults. This article focuses primarily on infant DtaP vaccination.

BENEFITS

Pertussis vaccine is highly effective for the prevention of pertussis. Immunized persons who develop pertussis usually have a milder case than nonimmunized people.

DTaP vaccine can be safely given to infants.

RISKS

DTaP may cause mild side effects (slight fever, crankiness, tenderness of the injection site for a few days, decreased appetite, vomiting).

DTaP causes moderate complications in less than 1% of injections. These complications include:

  • High fever greater than 105 degrees F (1 in 16,000 children)
  • Non-stop crying for more than 3 hours (1 in 1,000 children)
  • Seizure (1 in 14,000 children)

Review Date: 06/16/2005
Reviewed By: Anuradha Banerjee, M.D., Department of Pediatrics, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.

A.D.A.M., Inc. is accredited by URAC, also known as the American Accreditation HealthCare Commission (www.urac.org)