When it comes to your children’s vaccines it is vital to know the specifics. Sometimes this is much easier said than done. Especially when it comes to foreign sounding names such as DTaP and Tdap. If these vaccine names are coming up in your child’s routine immunizations, or even worse, have already been given to your children, you need to read on and find out what is different about the Dtap and Tdap vaccines. It is much more than a few mixed up letters.
Vaccinate To Protect Against Threat
Read on to learn what the difference between dtap and tdap vaccines are, when children should be vaccinated with the dtap vaccine, if your child is among those that should not get a dtap vaccine, and any dangers associated with either the dtap or tdap vaccine.
The Dtap is given to children under age seven to help them develop and immunity to three fatal diseases caused by a bacteria. These three diseases are pertussis, which is more commonly known as whopping cough, tetanus, and diphtheria. Tdap is a booster shot that offers further protection from these same diseases for older children and adults. The Tdap booster shot is given at age eleven as a routine immunization.
Your child should get five doses of the Dtap vaccine following a specific schedule. Routine immunizations of this vaccine occur at age 2 months, 4 months, 6 months, 15 to 18 months, and the last dose between the ages of 4 to 6 years old. After that your child will only require the Tdap booster shot when they are 11 years old.
Your child should not get the dtap vaccine if they are severely, or even moderately, ill. If your child is showing symptoms of a common cold or low grade fever they will be okay to receive this vaccination. But if they are experiencing any worse symptoms it is recommended by the CDC that you reschedule their appointment until they are feeling better.
If your child experiences an allergic reaction to a dose of the dtap vaccine that is life threatening, or have had a nervous system or brain disease within seven days of a previous dose of this vaccine they should not receive any further doses. In these rare, but serious reactions, if it has been determined that the allergic reaction was caused by the pertussis vaccine they are able to still receive a vaccine known as DT that will continue to protect against tetanus and diphtheria. If your child had a seizure, collapsed, cried nonstop for three or more hours, or had a fever over 105 degrees Fahrenheit after a dose of Dtap it is vital that you discuss these reactions with your doctor.
Side Effects
Serious side effects of a Dtap or Tdap vaccine are extremely rare, but there is an extremely high chance of your child getting diphtheria or pertussis if they have not had the vaccine given to them. The most serious complication known with these vaccines is the risk of an allergic reaction. This one in one million risk is most likely to occur within a few minutes to a couple hours after the vaccine has been administered. If a symptom of an allergic reaction occurs in your child after receiving a Dtap or Tdap vaccine you must seek prompt medical attention. These symptoms include any of the following; dizziness, rapid heartbeat, weakness, paleness, hives, wheezing, hoarseness, or difficulty breathing