What is Diphtheria, pertussis acellular, polio, and tetanus vaccine?
diphtheria pertussis Acellular, polio, and tetanus are all serious diseases that can be caused by bacteria or viruses. The disease can cause breathing problems, paralysis, heart failure, or even death. Pertussis, also known as whooping cough, causes severe, long-lasting coughing fits that interfere with eating, breathing, and drinking. Pertussis may cause pneumonia and seizures. It can also lead to death. The central nervous system, spinal cord, and muscles are affected by polio. This causes weakness and paralysis. If it paralyzes the muscles that allow you to breathe, polio can be deadly. Tetanus causes a painful tightening in the muscles, which can cause the victim to be unable to open their mouth, breathe, or swallow. Tetanus is fatal. Diphtheria is spread from person to person. Tetanus can enter the body via a wound or cut. This vaccine helps prevent these diseases among children aged 4 to 6 years old (prior to their 7th birthday) who have previously received a DTaP series and IPV. The vaccine will help your child develop immunity against these diseases, but it won't treat any infections that the child already has. The diphtheria, pertussis, polio, and tetanus acellular vaccines are not guarantees of protection against disease.
Side effects of Diphtheria, pertussis acellular, polio, and tetanus vaccine
If your child shows any of the following symptoms of an allergic reaction, seek immediate medical attention: hives, difficulty breathing, swelling of the face, lips, or throat. If your child had an allergic reaction that was life-threatening after the initial shot, he or she should not be given a booster. Keep a record of any side effects that your child experiences. Tell the vaccine provider if your child has received a booster shot and if there were any side effects from the previous dose. Infecting your child with polio or diphtheria is more harmful than this vaccine. This vaccine, like all medicines, can have side effects, but the risks of serious side effects are low.
If your child is suffering from:
- Fussiness—crying for more than an hour;
- Very high fever
- A feeling of lightheadedness, as if you could pass out.
If you have a fever or are experiencing pain, an over-the-counter pain reliever like acetaminophen (Tylenol) or ibuprofen (Motrin or Advil) may help. You should follow the instructions on the packaging or from the vaccine provider. If you suffer from a seizure disorder, such as epilepsy, it is important to avoid a fever.
Side effects of the diphtheria pertussis acellular vaccine, polio, and tetanus may include:
- Drowsiness;
- Headache, muscle pain;
- Loss of appetite
- Redness, pain, or swelling at the site of the injection
There may be other side effects. For medical advice on side effects, call your child's physician. Report the side effects of vaccines to the US Department of Health and Human Services by calling 1-800-822-7967.
Similar/related drugs
Azthromycin, Zithromax, Clarithromycin, Biaxin, Daptacel, Boostrix (Tdap), and Adacel
Warnings
Infecting your child with polio or diphtheria is more harmful than this vaccine.
Before you take this drug
If your child has the following conditions, he or she should not receive this vaccination:
- A history of life-threatening allergy to a diphtheria vaccine, pertussis vaccine, polio vaccine, or tetanus vaccination;
- A history of seizures, coma, or decreased consciousness within 7 days following a pertussis vaccination;
- A progressive or untreated brain or nervous system disorder (such as infantile sprains or uncontrolled seizures)
If your child has received a previous pertussis vaccination that resulted in:
- Within 48 hours of the vaccination, you may experience a high fever (more than 104 degrees), crying excessively for three hours or more, fainting, and going into shock.
- Within 3 days of the vaccination, a seizure may occur.
Inform the vaccine provider if:
- Seizures;
- Chemotherapy or radiation
- A weak immune system, caused by illness or certain medicines.
- Guillain-Barre syndrome occurs within six weeks of receiving a Tetanus vaccine.
- Latex allergy is a reaction to latex rubber.
You can still give your child a vaccination if they have a minor cold. Wait until your child is better if they have a severe illness, such as a fever or infection.
How to take Diphtheria, pertussis acellular, polio, and tetanus vaccine?
This vaccine is administered as a shot (injection) into the muscle. This vaccine is administered as the fifth dose of a series of DTaP and IPV vaccinations. This shot is given to children who are at least four years old or have not yet turned seven. The booster schedule for your child may differ from the guidelines. You can follow the instructions of your child's doctor or the schedule suggested by your local health department.
Details on dosage
The usual pediatric dose for poliomyelitis prophylaxis is:
4 to 6 years: 0.5 mL intramuscularly, once
The usual pediatric dose for diphtheria prophylaxis is:
4 to 6 years: 0.5 mL intramuscularly, once
The usual pediatric dose for pertussis prophylaxis
4 to 6 years: 0.5 mL intramuscularly, once
The usual pediatric dose for tetanus prophylaxis
4 to 6 years: 0.5 mL intramuscularly, once
What happens if I miss the dose?
If your child is going to miss a booster or will be behind schedule, contact your doctor. The next dose should be administered as soon as possible. There is no need to start again. If you don't give your child all the recommended doses of the DTaP or IPV series, the child might not be protected from disease.
What happens if I overdose?
It is very unlikely that taking this vaccine will result in any harmful overdose effects.
What should be avoided?
If there are any restrictions regarding food, beverage, or activity, follow the instructions of your vaccination provider.
Interaction with other drug
Tell the vaccine provider all of your child's previous vaccinations before receiving this vaccine. Tell the vaccine provider if your child has received any recent drugs or treatments that can weaken the immune system.
- Steroid medicine;
- Cancer treatments
- Medicine to treat psoriasis or rheumatoid arthritis
- Medicine to treat or prevent transplant rejection.
Your child may be unable to receive the vaccination if he or she is taking any of these medicines, or they may have to wait until their other treatments are complete. This list is incomplete. This vaccine may be affected by other drugs, such as prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. This list does not encompass all possible drug interactions.
