The acellular pertussis vaccine in combination with diptheria and tetanus (DaPT or DTaP) is routinely used. This vaccine has less chance of causing irritability and fussiness and fever in infants receiving the pertussis vaccine than the older whole cell preparation (DPT) that was used before the mid-90s. Approximately 10% of children now have some kind of minor reaction to acellular pertussus that is noticed by the parents; close to half of babies reacted to the old preparation that was used. Diptheria and tetanus immunizations cause very little reaction.
The DaPT include immunization against:
Diptheria: A sometimes life-threatening infection with swelling of the throat and neck.
Pertussis: Whooping Cough. A prolonged, severe cough in babies and young children. It seems like a cold and cough in adults. Pertussis can cause death or permanent damage.
Tetanus: Lock Jaw. A life threatening disease from infected wounds, involving nerve damage and severe muscle spasms.
The chance of a serious reaction, including seizures or permanent brain damage, from the old preparation was one case out of 365,000 or less. This rare, but serious reaction is much less likely with the acellular pertussis vaccine.
There is no mercury or thimersal in the DTaP vaccine.
The official Center for Disease Control handout for DTaP is available through the CDC Vaccine Information Statements site. You should review it before getting the DTaP vaccine for your child.
If you have questions, ask us.
Ted Humphry, M.D.
this information last updated 10/03
822-2441