Are you thinking you should consider the DTaP vaccine for your child? Generally, the answer is yes because it offers protection against severe diseases that can be deadly. However, there are certain cases where a child should avoid or delay the DTaP vaccine. What are those? And how many vaccine doses are needed to build immunity? How to care after the vaccine? Get all the answers in the following FAQs on the DTaP vaccine, a complete guide to protect your child. Reach out to us on https://doralhw.org/contact-us/ for a consultation with the best infectious disease doctors in Brooklyn, New York.
What is the DTaP vaccine?
Ans. This vaccine is a combination of 3 types of vaccines (DTap, Td, Tdap) to protect against diphtheria, tetanus, and whooping cough (pertussis), 3 common deadly infectious diseases. While all of them are caused by bacteria, their symptoms are very different. Diphtheria is a serious infection of the throat that blocks the airway and causes severe breathing problems, paralysis, heart failure, and death. It is highly contagious and spreads through an infected person’s coughing or sneezing.
Tetanus (lockjaw) is caused by a bacterium found in soil, which ones infect you. It releases toxins that attack the nervous system and can cause muscle spasms and death if not treated on time. Pertussis (whooping cough) is a respiratory infection that causes cold-like symptoms, which lead to severe coughing and trouble breathing (causing a whooping sound whenever the child coughs). It can lead to pneumonia, seizures, brain damage, and death.
These diseases were rampant before the vaccines were developed. And to stop this spread. Vaccines are recommended to protect the community, especially children who get infected easily with these infections. This vaccine protects people from these infections and also offers some protection to the unvaccinated. If people stopped getting vaccinated for these diseases, they would rise again and cause thousands of people to become sick or even die.
Who needs the DTaP vaccine?
Ans. The DTaP vaccine is recommended for all infants and children under the age of 7 years to protect against diphtheria, tetanus, and pertussis. They need to take a 5-dose routine series as part of their standard immunization schedule. In case a child or adult doesn’t receive DTaP, then they can receive a different combination of this vaccine:
- Tdap vaccine: For adolescents and adults.
- Td vaccine: Protects against tetanus and diphtheria.
When should you give your child the DTaP vaccine?
Ans. Your child needs to get the DTaP vaccine in a series of 5 shots at different ages:
- 2 months
- 4 months
- 6 months
- 15 to 18 months
- 4 to 6 years
They also need to get the Tdap vaccine (as an adolescent booster dose) at the ages of 11 to 12. Older teens and adults who haven’t gotten their booster with pertussis coverage also should get it, especially if they stay around newborn babies, like grandparents or other caregivers. Then, boosters are recommended to be administered every 10 years with either Tdap or Td (only tetanus and diphtheria).
Pregnant women can get the Tdap vaccine in the second half of each pregnancy, even if they’ve been vaccinated in the past. People who get a deep cut or severe burn also need to get a dose of DTaP, Tdap, or Td to prevent tetanus infection (depending on their age and when they got their last dose). These vaccines can be given along with other vaccines. That’s why DTaP is sometimes given on its own and in combination with other vaccines.
Are there any possible side effects after the DTaP vaccine?
Ans. Like other vaccines, there are mild side effects of the DTaP vaccine, such as:
- Fever
- Tiredness
- Loss of appetite
- Vomiting
- Pain, redness, or swelling at the injection site.
In rare cases, a child may have a seizure, high fever, or uncontrollable crying after getting a vaccine. A rare reaction that occurs in older adults is that their whole arm or leg gets swollen after the injection. With some children, there’s a small chance of fainting or an allergic reaction.
Are there any circumstances under which you should consider delaying or avoiding the DTaP vaccine for children?
Ans. In case your child has simple colds or other minor illnesses, you should not consider delaying the vaccination. However, if a child develops moderate or severe illness when they have scheduled to receive the vaccine, they need to reschedule the shot until the child recovers from it. It’s a good idea you talk with your doctor if your child has had any of the following:
- A serious allergic reaction or any allergic reaction after the previous DTaP or Tdap shot.
- Severe pain or swelling of the whole arm or leg after a previous shot.
- A brain or nervous system problem, like coma or seizures.
- Guillain-Barre Syndrome
- Cried nonstop for 3 hours or more after the previous dose of DTaP.
- Had a fever over 105°F from the previous dose of DTaP.
Your doctor might give a partial or no vaccine to decide whether the benefits of vaccinating your child will outweigh the potential risks or not.
How to care for your child after the DTaP vaccine?
Ans. To manage pain or fever, you can consult with your doctor if you can give either acetaminophen or ibuprofen and its right dose. Avoid aspirin because it can cause life-threatening illness. You can also use a warm, damp cloth or a heating pad on the injection site to lower soreness as they move or use their arm or leg a lot.
When should you call the doctor after the DTaP vaccination of your child?
Ans. You should call the doctor if:
- You’re not sure whether the vaccine should be postponed or avoided. Children who have had certain problems with the DTap vaccine often take the Td vaccine safely.
- There are problems after the vaccination.
The DTaP vaccine is a crucial vaccine in the standard immunization schedule to ensure your child is protected against contagious diseases, which can lead to severe complications. The DTaP vaccine protects from 3 severe infectious diseases that can even lead to death. They don’t have a cure, and the only way to prevent them is to complete the DTaP vaccine series. It also protects those who can’t get the vaccine. Make sure you consult your doctor first about your child’s vaccination to ensure they are eligible and safe to take the DTaP vaccine. Need help with DTaP vaccine shots for your child? Visit our infectious disease specialists in the Brooklyn clinic to get professional medical help. Book your appointment now, call us on + 1-718-367-2555 to get treated! Learn more about infectious diseases at www.doralhw.org. and stay up to date on current health topics and new research, on recent infectious diseases like COVID-19. If you need help, register your information and make direct contact with our doctors at https://yuz88hfiyh7.typeform.com/Doralintake. Or visit us at 1797 Pitkin Avenue, Brooklyn, NY 11212.
