Diseases such as tetanus, diphtheria and pertussis are dangerous because they can affect your health negatively. This is why the standard TDAP vaccine was implemented in the 1940s. It since has been modified to produce fewer side effects and now is called the DTaP vaccine. These diseases can be fatal and are at the very least uncomfortable. The DTaP vaccine prevents the diseases from occurring. It may be administered to young children---ages 2 months to 7 years old---as well as to adults.
Injection Site
While the DTaP shot generally has fewer side effects than the older TDAP vaccine, there may be some, especially in younger children at the site of injection. You may experience some pain at the injection site, treatable with an ice pack or analgesic such as acetaminophen. Children also may get some swelling that will be temporary. It might affect the leg or arm where the doctor administered the shot.
Fever
The DTaP vaccine also may cause you to experience a fever. This is a rare side effect that occurs in roughly 1 percent of the children receiving the vaccine, according to Immunizationinfo.org. While the fever may be minor, it also has been reported by some people to reach as high as 105 degrees Fahrenheit. According to the Mayo Clinic, a temperature higher than 103 degrees Fahrenheit is considered dangerous. Contact your physician immediately for bodily temperatures that exceed 103 degrees.
Other Side Effects
Administration of the DTaP vaccine also may cause other common side effects in approximately half of the people who receive it. These may include a decrease in appetite, vomiting or tiredness. Serious side effects that have occurred in less than 1 percent of those getting the shot include seizures, extended periods of crying, paleness, decreased alertness and lethargy. Any of these require medical attention.
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