Tetanus (Lockjaw)

• Tetanus causes painful tightening of the muscles, usually all over the body.
• It can lead to “locking” of the jaw so the person cannot open his mouth or swallow. Tetanus can lead to death.

Pertussis (Whooping cough)

• Pertussis causes coughing spells so bad that it is hard for infants to eat, drink, or breathe. These can last for weeks.
• It can lead to pneumonia, seizures (jerking and staring spells), brain damage, and death.

Diphtheria, tetanus, and pertussis vaccines prevent these diseases. Most children who get all their shots will be protected during childhood. Many more children would get these diseases if we stopped vaccinating.

Diphtheria, tetanus, and pertussis vaccines

DTP vaccine - Protects against diphtheria, tetanus, and pertussis and has been used for many years

DTaP vaccine- Protects against diphtheria, tetanus, and pertussis ;Newer than DTP; The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends DTaP over DTP This is because DTaP is less likely to cause reactions than DTP

Related vaccines - Combinations: To reduce the number of shots a child must get, DTP or DTaP may be available in combination with other vaccines. DT protects against diphtheria and tetanus, but not pertussis. It only is recommended for children who should not get pettussis vaccine.

What are the risks from these vaccines?

• As with any medicine, vaccines carry a small risk of serious harm, such as a severe allergic reaction or even death.
• If there are reactions. they usually start within 3 days and don’t last long.
• Most people have no serious reactions from these vaccines.

Possible reactions to these vaccines:

Mild Reactions (common)

• Sore arm or leg
• Fussy
• Tired
• Fever
• Less appetite
• Vomiting

Mild reactions are much less likely after DTaP than after DTP.

Moderate to Serious Reactions (uncommon)

• Non-stop crying (3 hours or more) . . .100 of every 10,000 doses
• Fever of 105 or higher . . . 30 of every 10,000 doses
• Seizure (jerking or staring) . . .6 of every 10,000 doses
• Child becomes limp, pale, less alert . . .6 of every 10,000 doses

With DTaP vaccine, these reactions are much less likely o happen.

Severe Reactions (very rare)

There are two kinds of serious reactions:

• Severe allergic reaction (breathing difficulty, shock)
• Severe brain reaction (long seizure, coma or lowered consciousness)

Is there lasting damage?

• Experts disagree on whether pertussis vaccines cause lasting brain damage.
• If they do, it is very rare.

Most experts believe serious reactions will be more rare after DTaP than after DTP.

What can be done to redice possible fever and pain?

Give your child an aspirin-free pain reliever  for 24 hours after the shot. This is important if your child has had a seizure or has a parent, brother, or sister who has had a seizure.

Should some children not get the vaccine?

Tell your doctor or nurse if your child:

• Ever had a moderate or serious reaction after getting vaccinated
• Ever had a seizure
• Has a parent, brother, or sister who has had a seizure
• Has a brain problem that is getting worse
• Now has a moderate or severe illness

Your doctor or nurse has information on what to do in this case (for example, give one of these vaccines, wait, give medicine to prevent fever).

What if there is a moderate to severe reaction?

What should I look for?

• Any unusual conditions, such as those in item 3

What should I do?

• Call a doctor or get the child to a doctor right away.
• Tell your doctor what happened, the date and time it happened, and when the vaccination was given.
• Ask your doctor, nurse, or health department to file a Vaccine
• Adverse Event Report (VAERS) form, or call VAERS  yourself at: l-800-822-7967

In the rare event that you or your child has a serious reaction to a vaccine, a federal program has been created to help you pay for the care of those who have been harmed. For details about the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program, call 1-800-338-2382 or visit the program’s website at http://www.hrsa.gov/bhpr/vicp/

Ask your doctor or nurse. They can give you the vaccine package insert or suggest other sources of information. the information of death Call your local or state health department’ immunization program. Contact the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC): Call 1-800-232-2522 (English) Call 1-800-232-0233 (Español)

This Vaccine Information Statement courtesy of the United States Department of Health and Human Services, Centers for Disease Control, and the National Immunization Program