Diphtheria/Tetanus/Acellular Pertussis/Polio Vaccine (By injection)
dif-THEER-ee-a TOX-oyd, ad-SORBD, TET-a-nus TOX-oyd, per-TUS-iss VAX-een, a-SELL-yoo-lar, POE-lee-oh VYE-rus VAX-een, in-AK-ti-vated
Protects against infections caused by diphtheria, tetanus (lockjaw), pertussis (whooping cough), and polio.
Drug classes
Vaccine (About this – PubMed Health)
Uses
Uses of This Medicine
Diphtheria, tetanus, and acellular pertussis vaccine (also known as DTaP) combined with inactivated poliovirus vaccine (also known as IPV) is a combination vaccine that is given to protect against infections caused by diphtheria, tetanus (lockjaw), pertussis (whooping cough), and poliovirus. The vaccine works by causing the body to produce its own protection (antibodies) against these diseases. This vaccine is given only to children 4 to 6 years of age (before the child’s 7th birthday).
Diphtheria is a serious illness that can cause breathing difficulties, heart problems, nerve damage, pneumonia, and possibly death. The risk of serious complications is greater in very young children and the elderly.
Tetanus (also known as lockjaw) is a very serious illness that causes seizures and severe muscle spasms that can be strong enough to cause bone fractures of the spine. The disease continues to occur almost exclusively among people who do not get vaccinated or do not have enough protection from previous vaccines.
Pertussis (also known as whooping cough) is a serious disease that causes severe spells of coughing that can interfere with breathing. Pertussis can also cause pneumonia, long-lasting bronchitis, seizures, brain damage, and death.
Polio is a very serious infection that causes paralysis of the muscles, including the muscles that enable you to walk and breathe. A polio infection may leave a person unable to breathe without the help of a breathing machine. It may also leave a person unable to walk without leg braces or being confined to a wheelchair. There is no cure for polio.
This vaccine is to be given only by or under the supervision of your child’s doctor.
Other uses (PubMed Health)
How To Use
Injectable
A nurse or other health professional will give your child this vaccine. This vaccine is given as a shot into a muscle, usually in the shoulder.
Your child may receive other vaccines at the same time as this one. You should receive other information sheets on those vaccines. Make sure you understand all the information given to you.
Your child may also receive medicines to help prevent or treat some minor side effects of the vaccine.
Missed dose: If this vaccine is part of a series of vaccines, it is important that your child receive all of the shots. Try to keep all scheduled appointments. If your child must miss a shot, make another appointment as soon as possible.
Drugs and Foods to Avoid
Ask your doctor or pharmacist before using any other medicine, including over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products.
Some foods and medicines can affect how this vaccine works. Tell the doctor if your child has recently received any of the following:
Immune globulin Blood thinner (including warfarin) Any treatment that weakens the immune system, such as cancer medicine, radiation treatment, or a steroidWhen Not To Use
This vaccine may not be right for everyone. Your child should not receive this vaccine if he or she had an allergic or other serious reaction to tetanus, diphtheria, pertussis, or polio vaccine or to neomycin or polymyxin B. Tell the doctor if your child has seizures or other nervous system problems.
Warnings
Tell the doctor if your child has a bleeding disorder, or a history of Guillain-Barré syndrome or other severe reaction to a vaccine (including fever or prolonged crying).
This vaccine may cause the following problems:
Guillain-Barré syndromeTell the doctor if your child is allergic to latex rubber or has been sick or had a fever recently.
Possible side effects
Summary More details
Call your doctor right away if you notice any of these side effects:
Allergic reaction: Itching or hives, swelling in your face or hands, swelling or tingling in your mouth or throat, chest tightness, trouble breathing
Crying constantly for 3 hours or more
Fever over 105 degrees F
Lightheadedness or fainting
Seizures
Severe headache
Severe muscle weakness or numbness
If you notice these less serious side effects, talk with your doctor:
Mild pain, redness, or swelling where the shot was given
If you notice other side effects that you think are caused by this medicine, tell your doctor.
Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
More side effects of this drug
Brand names include
Kinrix, Pentacel, Quadracel
There may be other brand names for this medicine.