DPT vaccine

The DPT vaccine or DTP vaccine is a special combination of vaccines that helps protect people from three serious infectious diseases: diphtheria, pertussis (also called whooping cough), and tetanus (known as lockjaw). This vaccine works by using parts of the harmful substances made by these diseases, called toxoids, and either dead cells or specific pieces of the bacterium that causes pertussis. These parts train the body’s defense system to recognize and fight these diseases without causing the illness itself.

Because the DPT vaccine uses inactivated materials instead of live germs, it is safe for everyone, including those whose immune systems are weaker. This makes it a good choice for protecting people of all ages. In the United States, the whole-cell DPT vaccine was given to children until 1996, when a different version called DTaP was approved for use.

The DPT vaccine is very important because these three diseases can be very harmful, and the vaccine helps keep many people healthy by preventing them.

History

Diphtheria, tetanus, and pertussis (whooping cough) vaccines were first licensed in 1949. Since then, these vaccines have greatly reduced the number of whooping cough cases. More people getting these vaccines has helped keep these diseases away.

In the past, vaccines made a big difference in keeping children healthy in the United States. But in recent years, some people have chosen not to vaccinate their children because they worry about side effects. However, studies show that the real danger for unvaccinated children is getting the diseases these vaccines prevent.

In the 1990s, a new type of pertussis vaccine with fewer parts was introduced. This vaccine causes fewer side effects but may not last as long. Many wealthy countries now use this newer vaccine.

Vaccination rates

In 2016, about 80% of children in the United States had received the recommended number of vaccinations by age two. By 2019, over 90% of teenagers had gotten a booster shot. However, only about 44% of adults had gotten a booster in the last ten years.

Globally, the World Health Organization estimates that about 89% of people have received at least one dose of the diphtheria, tetanus, and pertussis vaccine, and 84% have completed the recommended three doses. These numbers help show how well vaccination programs are reaching children worldwide.

Combination vaccines with acellular pertussis

DTaP and Tdap are both combination vaccines that help protect against three illnesses: diphtheria, tetanus, and pertussis (whooping cough). The “a” in DTaP and Tdap means the vaccine uses a special part of the pertussis germ to create protection.

DTaP is a vaccine that protects against diphtheria, tetanus, and pertussis. It uses selected parts of the pertussis germ to build immunity. This type of vaccine is thought to have fewer side effects than older versions, but it costs more. Some research shows that an older version of the vaccine might work better against certain types of the pertussis germ.

Tdap is another vaccine that protects against tetanus, a smaller amount of diphtheria, and pertussis. It became available in the United States in 2005 for use in adults and older teenagers. Health experts now recommend that everyone, even people over 65, get Tdap. It is especially important for people who will be around young babies to get Tdap to help keep infants safe from pertussis. Health groups in the United States and Canada suggest using Tdap instead of the regular tetanus booster every ten years. The World Health Organization also recommends a vaccine that combines protection against diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis, and two other illnesses.

Related combination vaccines

Excluding pertussis

Some vaccines protect against two diseases instead of three. The DT vaccine is for children under seven who cannot get the pertussis part of the DTaP vaccine. The Td vaccine is given to children over seven and to adults as a reminder shot every ten years, especially after serious burns or dirty wounds.

Additional targets

Main articles: DTaP-IPV vaccine, DTaP-IPV-HepB vaccine, Pentavalent vaccine, and Hexavalent vaccine

In the United States, children can get a vaccine that protects against polio, diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis, and hepatitis B. In the UK, babies born after August 1, 2017, can get a vaccine that protects against even more diseases. Since 2023, most DTP vaccines bought by UNICEF include protection against hepatitis B and a bacteria called Haemophilus influenzae. Starting in 2024, UNICEF plans to buy vaccines that also protect against polio.

Contraindications

The DPT vaccine should not be given to people who had a serious allergic reaction, like swelling or trouble breathing, after a past vaccine for diseases like tetanus, diphtheria, or whooping cough. It is also not recommended for those who are severely allergic to any ingredient in the vaccine.

If someone had a severe reaction to tetanus parts of a vaccine before, doctors might suggest a different treatment for wounds instead of the DPT vaccine. The DPT vaccine should also be skipped if a child had severe health problems, like seizures or loss of consciousness, within a week of getting a whooping cough vaccine and no other reason can explain it. For children under seven who cannot get the DPT vaccine, there is another vaccine called DT that does not contain the whooping cough part.

Side effects

Common side effects of the DTaP vaccine include soreness where the shot was given, fever, irritability, tenderness, loss of appetite, and vomiting. Most of these effects are mild to moderate and usually last from one to three days. More serious but rare reactions may include seizures, lowered consciousness, or a high fever over 105 °F (41 °C). Allergic reactions are uncommon but can be emergencies. Signs include hives, trouble breathing, wheezing, swelling of the face and throat, fainting, and a fast heartbeat. If these occur, the child should be taken to the nearest hospital right away.

For the Tdap vaccine, common side effects include pain or swelling where the shot was given, mild fever, headache, tiredness, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and stomach ache. Allergic reactions are possible and have the same signs as described above. Anyone who has had a life-threatening allergic reaction after a previous dose of a vaccine containing diphtheria, tetanus, or pertussis should not receive the Tdap vaccination.

In pregnant women, research suggests that getting the Tdap vaccine may slightly increase the risk of a certain placental infection, but it does not increase the risk of early births. No link has been found between the Tdap vaccine during pregnancy and other serious pregnancy complications, including neonatal death, stillbirth, or high blood pressure disorders like pre-eclampsia.

Immunization schedules and requirements

Australia

In Australia, the DTP vaccine is part of the National Immunisation Program (NIP). It is given to babies in a series of doses: the first three doses at 2, 4, and 6 months old, then a fourth dose at 18 months, and a fifth dose at 4 years. Teenagers get a booster dose at 12–13 years.

Adults should get a booster every 10 years, especially if they are close to babies. Pregnant women are advised to get a booster during each pregnancy, ideally between 20 and 32 weeks, to help protect newborns from whooping cough.

France

In France, children receive vaccines at 2 months (first dose) and 4 months (second dose) with a booster at 11 months old. A booster for diphtheria, whooping cough, tetanus, and poliomyelitis is given at 6 years, then at 11–13 years, and again at 25, 45, and 65 years old, with boosters every 10 years after that.

Netherlands

In the Netherlands, the DTaP-IPV vaccine is used to protect against diphtheria, whooping cough, tetanus, and polio as part of the National Immunization Program.

United Kingdom

In the United Kingdom, the "3-in-1 teenage booster" protects against tetanus, diphtheria, and polio. It is given to teenagers aged 14 by the NHS. Babies receive the hexavalent vaccine, which protects against diphtheria, tetanus, polio, whooping cough, Haemophilus influenzae type B, and hepatitis B. Boosters are recommended for travelers if more than 10 years have passed since their last booster.

United States

In the United States, children receive five doses of DTaP between the ages of two months and fifteen years. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends the first dose at two months, the second at four months, the third at six months, the fourth between 15 and 18 months, and the fifth between 4–6 years. If the fourth dose is given after the child’s fourth birthday, only four doses are needed.

Babies under twelve months, especially under three months, are at highest risk for whooping cough. The CDC recommends that adults and children around them receive a booster at least two weeks before contact with the baby. Adults should get a booster every ten years. During pregnancy, one dose of Tdap is recommended between 27 through 36 weeks to protect newborns from whooping cough. In October 2022, a vaccine was approved for use during the third trimester to help prevent whooping cough in infants under two months old.

Pregnant women who have not been vaccinated should receive a series of three vaccinations starting during pregnancy to protect against tetanus. If Tdap is not given during pregnancy, it should be given right after birth.

Brand names

Australia

United States

As of January 2020, there are seven DTaP vaccines and two Tdap vaccines approved for use in the United States. These vaccines are given to children to help protect them from serious diseases. The schedules for these vaccinations are as follows: