DPT vaccines: Important things you need to know

What are the DPT vaccines?

DPT is one of the most common vaccine-preventable childhood disease. It refers to a class of combination vaccines against three infectious diseases in humans: diphtheria, pertussis (whooping cough), and tetanus. The vaccine components include diphtheria and tetanus toxoids and killed whole cells of the organism that causes pertussis.

What are diphtheria, tetanus, and pertussis?

Diphtheria is a serious bacterial infection that affects the mucous membranes of the throat and nose. It can cause breathing problems, paralysis (unable to move), heart failure, and even death.

Pertussis, also called whooping cough, is a highly contagious respiratory disease. It causes bad coughing spells which make it hard for your child to eat, drink, or breathe. These coughing spells can last for weeks and can lead to pneumonia (lung infection), seizures (convulsions), brain damage, and even death. Pertussis can affect people too.

Tetanus happens when a wound gets infected with tetanus bacteria often found in dirt. The bacterium is found throughout the world in the soil and in animal and human intestines. Sometimes, the bacterium can lay dormant for years before becoming activated and developing into a regularly reproducing bacterium.

When should your child get vaccinated against DPT?

Most children should get a DPT shot at the following times. The DPT vaccine may be given at the same time as other vaccines.

2 months.

4 months.

5 months.

16 months.

Risks:

Most children have no serious problems from DPT and some reaction will not last over 3 days. Following are some of the risks, but not limited to:

Feeling tired

Fever.

Fussy.

Swelling

Not want to eat.

Less alert, limp, and pale.

Seizure.

Throwing up

Crying for over 3 hours

shock.(rare)

Severe brain reaction (rare)

Note:

Tell doctor if your child has the following problems：

Ever had a moderate or serious reaction after getting a vaccination.

Ever had a seizure in the past.

Has a parent, brother, or sister who has had a seizure.

Is now moderately (somewhat) or severely (bad) ill.