DTaP immunization (vaccine)

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Immunizations

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Severe reactions are extremely rare, but may include severe allergic reactions such as breathing difficulties and shock. Such reactions occur in less than 1 per 1,000,000 children. Long-term seizures and brain damage have rarely occured, but it is hard to tell if they were caused by the vaccine or not.

Many parents worry that some vaccines are not safe and may harm their baby or young child. They may ask their doctor or nurse to wait, or even refuse to have the vaccine. However, it is important to also think about the risks of not having the vaccine. See: Immunizations - general overview for more information.

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Usually, a child who has had a problem with the DTaP vaccine can safely receive the Td vaccine.

CONSIDERATIONS

If your child is sick with something more serious than a mild cold, DTaP may be delayed until he or she is better.

The DTaP vaccine is not recommended if the patient developed Guillain-Barre syndrome within 6 weeks of receiving a tetanus shot.

If your child has had any of the following reactions after an earlier DTaP vaccination, check with your health care provider before the child receives another one:

• Seizures within 3 to 7 days after injection
• A serious brain problem within 7 days after injection
• Seizures that get worse
• Other brain problem (at any time)
• Mouth, throat, or face swelling within a few hours after the vaccine is given
• Difficulty breathing (serious allergy) within a few hours after the vaccine is given
• Fever of 105 degrees or higher within 2 days after the vaccine is given
• Shock or collapse within 2 days after the vaccine is given
• Persistent, uncontrolled crying that lasts for more than 3 hours at a time after the vaccine is given

CALL YOUR HEALTH CARE PROVIDER IF:

• You are not sure if your child should get the DTaP immunization
• Complications or severe symptoms develop after DTaP immunization
• Other symptoms develop after DTaP immunization
• You have questions or concerns about DTaP immunization

Review Date: 02/11/2011
Reviewed By: David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc., and Neil K. Kaneshiro, MD, MHA, Clinical Assistant Professor of Pediatrics, University of Washington School of Medicine.

A.D.A.M., Inc. is accredited by URAC, also known as the American Accreditation HealthCare Commission (www.urac.org).