Childhood Immunizations

Diphtheria, Tetanus, Pertussis (DTaP) Vaccine

Five doses at two, four, and six months of age, followed by a booster between 15 to 18 months, and another at four to six years.

what vaccines to get for baby
Diphtheria is spread through coughing and sneezing. It initially causes sore throat, fever, and chills. It can also cause a thick covering to form over the back of the throat, blocking the airways and making breathing difficult. If it isn't promptly treated with the proper medication, the infection causes a toxin (poison) to spread in the body that can then lead to heart failure or paralysis. About one in 10 of those affected will actually die from diphtheria.
Tetanus is not a contagious disease. Instead, a person typically becomes infected with tetanus if tetanus bacteria found in soil, dirt, dust, or manure enter the body through a wound or cut. Symptoms, which can take up to three weeks to appear, include headache, crankiness, stiffness of the jaw and neck, and then painful muscle spasms throughout the body. There are about 30 reported cases a year of tetanus in the US, and one out of 10 people who get the disease die from it.
Pertussis (aka whooping cough) is a very contagious airborne bacterial infection that causes violent rapid coughing and a loud "whooping" sound upon inhalation. Infants who contract the disease often need to be hospitalized. Between 20 and 40 children under the age of three months die from pertussis each year in the US.
The vaccine: DTaP is a combination vaccine protecting against three diseases: diphtheria (D), tetanus (T), and pertussis (P). All three components of the vaccine are "inactivated"– meaning they are killed and incapable of causing the disease. The "a" stands for "acellular," which means that the pertussis part of the vaccine contains only parts of the pertussis bacterium, not the entire cell.
The dose: Five doses of DTaP are needed. The shots are given at two, four, and six months, followed by a booster between 15 to 18 months, and then another booster between four to six years old. Although, according to the AAP, the fifth (booster) dose is not necessary if the fourth dose was administered at 4 years or older. Since protection can fade over time with this particular vaccine, the Tdap booster vaccine is recommended for adolescents at between 11 and 12 years of age.

Learn more about childhood immunizations.


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