Brand Name(s): Daptacel, Infanrix, Tripedia

Generic Name Diphtheria, Tetanus, and Pertussis Vaccine (DTP)

What is diphtheria and tetanus toxoids and pertussis vaccine?

DIPHTHERIA AND TETANUS TOXOIDS AND PERTUSSIS VACCINE (DTP, Daptacel®, Infanrix®, Tripedia®, and others) is a vaccine that protects against diphtheria, tetanus (lockjaw), and pertussis (whooping cough) infections. The vaccine helps the body produce antibodies (protective substances) that will fight these diseases. Most school systems in the U.S. require that children receive DTP vaccination. DTP is usually started at 8 weeks of age for a series of 3 doses. A follow-up dose is given a year later, and then a booster dose may be given before a child enters school. A booster vaccine with Tdap is also recommended.

In recent years, there has been concern about the safety of childhood vaccines. Serious reactions to DTP vaccine are rare in small children. Your child is more likely to suffer serious illness from one of these infections if he/she is not vaccinated.

What should my health care professional know before I receive DTP injection?

They need to know if you have any of these conditions:

• an immune deficiency (natural or due to cancer chemotherapy, radiation, or steroid therapy, or HIV infection)
• blood disorders, such as hemophilia
• brain disease
• fever or infection
• neurological disease
• seizures (convulsions)
• an unusual or allergic reaction to vaccines, thimerosal, latex, other medicines, foods, dyes, or preservatives
• pregnant or trying to get pregnant
• breast-feeding

How should I use this medicine?

DTP and Tdap vaccine is only for injection into a muscle. It is usually given by a health-care professional in a hospital, clinic, or prescriber's office.

The DTP vaccine is for infants at least 6 weeks old and children up to 7 years old. The DTP vaccine is not given to older children, adolescents, adults, or the elderly.

The Tdap vaccine is for patients 10 to 18 years old who have received the primary vaccination series.

Use of the DTP or Tdap vaccine must be officially recorded. Federal law requires that the manufacturer's name and lot number; name, address, and phone number of the person giving the vaccine; and the date of administration be recorded in the child's permanent medical record.

Your health care professional will give you some written information about the DTP or Tdap vaccine, you should read this information.

What if I miss a dose?

Remember to keep appointments for follow-up doses. Notify your health-care professional if you are unable to keep an appointment or miss a scheduled dose.

What drug(s) may interact with DTP injection?

• chemotherapy (drugs to treat cancer) or radiation therapy
• medicines that keep your blood from clotting (anticoagulants or blood thinners, like warfarin)
• medicines that suppress your immune function (e.g., corticosteroids, etanercept, anakinra, infliximab, adalimumab)
• recent immune globulin (IGIV or IGIM) injection

Tell your prescriber or health care professional: about all other medicines you are taking, including non-prescription medicines. These may affect the way your medicine works.

What side effects may I notice from receiving DTP toxoids and vaccine?

Side effects that you should report to your prescriber or health care professional as soon as possible:

• child is limp, pale, or less alert
• difficulty breathing, shortness of breath, wheezing
• difficulty swallowing
• high fever (103 °F or more)
• inconsolable crying for 3 hours or more
• seizures (convulsions)
• severe skin rash, hives, or itching
• swelling of eyes or face
• unusual sleepiness

Side effects that usually do not require immediate medical attention (report these side effects to your prescriber or health care professional if they continue or are bothersome):

• fussy
• less appetite
• low-grade fever (102 °F or less)
• pain, tenderness, redness, swelling, or a "knot" at the injection site
• tired
• vomiting

What should I watch for while taking DTP injection?

Children receiving DTP vaccine should be carefully observed for 24—72 hours after receiving the injection. Contact your prescriber or health care professional and seek emergency medical care if any serious side effects occur.

The health care professional may give a dose of a non-aspirin pain/fever reliever at the time of the DTP vaccine. They may advise you to give the fever-reducing drug every 4 to 6 hours for the 24 hours following the vaccine to help reduce fever and discomfort. Ask your health care professional for an appropriate dose and schedule.

Where can I keep my medicine?

Each dose of this vaccine will be administered in the clinic or office of a health care professional. You will not be given vaccine doses to store at home.