The DTaP is an injected vaccine that protects against diphtheria, tetanus and whooping cough. These diseases are serious and have the potential to be deadly, explains Drugs.com. The initial vaccine is administered when a child is six months of age, 15 to 18 months, and then four to six years of age. A booster is given at age 11 or 12 and every ten years thereafter to maintain immunity. As with any injection, the DTaP booster has the potential for side effects.
Mild Side Effects
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) points out several common side effects that occur in many individuals who receive the DTaP booster or initial injection. At the site of injection individuals are likely to experience tenderness, redness and possibly swelling or bruising. Children are likely to experience a mild fever. Infants and children may be fussy, exhibit tiredness or poor appetite and/or vomiting, according to the CDC. These side effects are more common with the initial shot and diminish with each booster shot. Mild side effects may take between one and seven days to appear.
Moderate Side Effects
The CDC points out that more moderate side effects are uncommon, but they may include seizure, nonstop crying that lasts three hours or more and/or a high fever of 105 degrees Fahrenheit or higher. VaccineInformation.org indicates that these moderate effects occur in fewer than one in 10,000 doses.
Serious Side Effects
An allergic reaction to the DTaP is extremely rare, explains the CDC, but it can be deadly. By the time an individual receives a DTaP booster, allergy is rare as the indication of sensitivity would have appeared with the initial or subsequent doses. Signs of allergy include breathing difficulties and shock. Other serious side effects may include swelling of the mouth, swelling of the throat or swelling of the face.
Some rare long-term side effects of the booster may include seizures and brain damage. Drugs.com points out that these complications occur so rarely that it is difficult to pinpoint the cause to be the vaccine itself.
Member Comments