Diphtheria, Tetanus, Pertussis and Inactivated Polio Vaccine

Diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis, and inactivated polio vaccine may prevent diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis, and poliomyelitis (polo) that may occur with infection due to C. diphtheriae (diphtheria), C. tetani (tetanus), B. pertussis (pertussis), and polioviruses.

Infection with C. diphtheriae can cause diphtheria (difficulty breathing and life-threatening heart failure and paralysis), infection with C. tetani can cause tetanus (painful stiffening of the muscles), infection with B. pertussis can cause whooping cough (a respiratory disease with severe coughing episodes) and polioviruses can cause polio (illness with sore throat and fever that may progress to a brain infection and cause paralysis).

Diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis, and inactivated polio vaccine does not contain active bacteria or virus. The vaccine works by triggering the body to make antibodies against viruses and the toxins produced by these bacteria to provide a defense against potential infection.

Diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis and inactivated polio vaccine comes as a suspension (solution) to be given intramuscularly by a healthcare provider.

Diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis and inactivated polio vaccine is given as a single dose. It may be given as the 4th or 5th dose of the diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis (DTap) series.

Tell your vaccine provider if you:

• have had an allergic reaction to this vaccine, any part of this vaccine, any other vaccine or any drug, food or substance. Tell your vaccine provider about the allergy and what symptoms you had.
• had encephalopathy (decreased consciousness, seizures, coma) within 7 days to a previous dose of pertussis containing vaccine, had a nervous system condition (spams or seizures), or are at risk for seizures. Your doctor will likely tell you that you can not receive another pertussis-containing vaccine.
• are immunocompromised or are receiving immunosuppressive medications, had Guillain-Barré syndrome (a nervous system disorder) within six weeks of a previous dose of tetanus containing vaccine, or have had a history of any of the following occurring after receiving a pertussis-containing vaccine: fever, persistent, inconsolable crying for 3 hours or more, seizures, collapse or loss of consciousness.

In some cases, your health care provider may decide to postpone vaccination to a future visit or may have you take additional vaccines to prevent the risk of side effects occurring.

Side effects that have been reported with diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis and inactivated polio vaccine include:

• pain, redness, swelling at the site of injection
• fever
• drowsiness, tiredness
• loss of appetite
• muscle pain
• headache

Some side effects can be serious. If you experience any of these symptoms, call your doctor immediately or get emergency medical treatment:

• rash, hives, difficulty breathing or swallowing
• seizures or other nervous system changes

People sometimes faint after medical procedures, including vaccination. Tell your provider if you feel dizzy or have vision changes or ringing in the ears.

Adverse reactions should be reported to the Vaccine Adverse Event Reporting System (VAERS). Your health care provider will usually file this report, or you can do it yourself. Visit https://vaers.hhs.gov or call 1-800-822-7967. VAERS is only for reporting reactions, and VAERS staff members do not give medical advice.

• Read the Vaccine Information Sheet (VIS) that your vaccine provider will give you, or you can obtain it at https://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/hcp/current-vis/index.html
• Ask your healthcare provider.
• Call your local or state health department.

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