DTaP vaccine and what parents should know

Immunization is essential, but many children are scared. The DTap vaccine, also known as 3-in-1 vaccine, will help parents reduce multiple vaccinations.

Let aFamilyToday Health learn about this vaccine!

Benefits of DTaP vaccine

The DTaP vaccine helps protect your child from 3 quite dangerous diseases: diphtheria, tetanus and pertussis.

Diphtheria

Diphtheria is an infection (caused by bacteria) that causes fever, weakness, and sore throat. At that time, the back wall of the throat will be covered with a thick milky layer, making it difficult to breathe or swallow and sometimes choking. If the disease is left untreated, the toxin secreted by the diphtheria bacteria will affect the tissues and organs throughout the body, possibly leading to heart failure and paralysis.

The death rate of diphtheria can reach up to 20% in children under 5 years old and adults over 40 years old.

Tetanus

Tetanus is an infection (caused by the tetanus bacteria) that causes severe and painful muscle spasms, convulsions and paralysis.

Tetanus is not contagious. These bacteria live in the soil and hide in dirty places, entering the body when the skin is scratched . People often get tetanus due to a piercing wound (like a nail pedal) or other types of injuries that tear the skin - even if only very lightly.

Whooping cough

Pertussis is a highly contagious bacterial infection, and one of a number of childhood illnesses that can be prevented with a vaccine. Whooping cough causes a sick person to cough so much that it makes eating, drinking and breathing very difficult. It can lead to pneumonia, seizures, brain damage and death.

The number of pertussis cases has shown a gradual increase over the past two decades. However, health organizations believe that the overall prevalence of pertussis has decreased by about 80% since the introduction of pertussis vaccine and that outbreaks tend to only occur every 3 to 5 years.

In response to this condition, a vaccine called DTaP re-injection is currently recommended for children aged 11 to 12. DTaP vaccine is also recommended for adults if they are not already. injection as a child and then again every 10 years.

Getting vaccinated yourself will also protect your child and those around you from whooping cough. Infants younger than 6 months old are at risk for severe whooping cough or have the highest mortality rate.

Recommended immunization schedule

Number of doses of vaccine:

5 DTaP shots from birth to 6 years old;

1 DTaP nose between 11 and 12 years old;

1 dose of DTaP as an adult, re-injected every 10 years.

Age:

2 months;

4 months old;

6 months old;

From 15 to 18 months old;

From 4 to 6 years old;

From 11 to 12 years old.

Children in their “teen” years and adults who have not received the DTaP shot or pregnant women should get it again every 10 years.

Who should not get the DTaP vaccine?

Infants younger than 6 weeks old;

Children who have had a life-threatening allergic reaction to DTaP before;

Have had a severe brain or nervous system reaction within 7 days of receiving DTaP;

Have had convulsions or fever above 40.5 ° C after injection or have been crying without stopping for more than 3 hours;

If you want to continue the injection, your doctor's permission is required.

Also, talk to your doctor about situations your child shouldn't have. If the pertussis portion of the mixed-shot vaccine is the culprit of the problem, the DT (diphtheria and tetanus) vaccine may be more appropriate.

Parent issues must be cautious

Children who are moderately to severely ill at the time of vaccination should wait until they have completely recovered before getting the shot. This way, we can be sure the child can tolerate the side effects (if any) that could be affected.

Other side effects

Most of the potential side effects have been associated with the combined nasal pertussis vaccine. Both diphtheria and tetanus vaccines have not shown any serious side effects so far.

Other side effects often occur after the 4th shot of the vaccine - including: redness, swelling, and pain where the shot was given, and your baby may have a mild fever. If you notice these signs, you can consult your doctor when planning to give your baby paracetamol (all ages) or ibuprofen (for children over 6 months old) to relieve pain and fever. Other problems such as fussy babies, fatigue and vomiting (rarely) may also occur.

Serious allergic reactions are very rare but can occur with any vaccine.

If your child has any side effects to this or any other vaccine, talk to your doctor or take your child immediately to the nearest medical facility for monitoring and treatment.