DTaP/polio vaccine is a combination vaccine that protects your child from diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis (or whooping cough), collectively also known as DTaP, and poliomyelitis (or polio). This vaccine is for children 4-6 years old who need to complete the DTaP and polio series. DTaP/polio vaccine is given as an injection into the muscle.
Prevention of:
Diphtheria
Tetanus
Pertussis (whooping cough)
Poliovirus
DTaP/polio vaccine is an inactivated vaccine that protects your child from 3 types of bacteria: Corynebacterium diphtheriae (diphtheria), Clostridium tetani (tetanus), and Bordatella pertussis (whooping cough), as well as poliovirus (polio). The vaccine helps your body's immune system make antibodies that will attack the bacteria or virus if they ever infect your child.
Source: DailyMed
Side effects that you should report to your care team as soon as possible:
Side effects that usually do not require medical attention (report these to your care team if they continue or are bothersome):
More convenient since DTaP/polio vaccine is a combination vaccine
Can be given with other vaccines
Works well to prevent diphtheria, tetanus, whooping cough, and polio
Only used for the last dose of the DTaP series and polio series
Can only be used in children 4-6 years old
Must be given as an injection by a healthcare professional at a provider’s office, clinic, or pharmacy
Let your child's provider know if your child has a history of seizures. Sometimes, a fever that results from a vaccine can trigger seizures. Your child's provider might recommend that your child take medication to lower fevers (e.g., acetaminophen (Tylenol) or ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin)) before and for up to 1 day after receiving the vaccine to lower the risk of fever and seizures from DTaP/polio vaccine.
If your child has any brain conditions, talk to your child's provider before receiving DTaP/polio vaccine to make sure it's right for them. Your child's provider might hold off on giving your child the vaccine because there can be confusion between the side effects of DTaP/polio vaccine and the signs or symptoms of your child's brain condition.
Most people who receive DTaP/polio vaccine don't have any serious side effects. Side effects are generally mild and should go away on their own in a few days.
Make sure to keep a record of all your child's immunizations and show it to your child's provider or pharmacist before receiving any vaccine, including DTaP/polio vaccine, to make sure they're receiving all their vaccines on schedule.
Wait until your child is healthy to get DTaP/polio vaccine. This will help make sure their immune system protects them as best as it can. If your child has a mild sickness, such as a cold or low-grade fever, they can still get DTaP/polio vaccine. If your child feels moderately to severely sick, wait until they recover before getting this vaccine. Ask your child's provider if you're not sure whether they can get this vaccine.
If you or your child experience a severe reaction to DTaP/polio vaccine, you or your provider can report it to the vaccine adverse event reporting system (VAERS) website or by calling 1-800-822-7967.
DTaP/polio vaccine can cause some serious health issues. This risk may be even higher for certain groups. If this worries you, talk to your doctor or pharmacist about other options.
Risk factors: Latex allergy (for Kinrix only) | Allergic reaction to other vaccines
As with any vaccine, there's a rare chance that your child might have a severe allergic reaction to DTaP/polio vaccine. The risk is higher if your child is allergic to latex and receives Kinrix since it contains latex. Your provider might ask you and your child to stay at the pharmacy or clinic for a short period of time after you've received your vaccine to make sure your child can get proper care in case of a serious allergic reaction. Sometimes, these reactions can happen after you've already left the clinic. Get medical help right away if you notice symptoms of a severe allergic reaction, such as feeling faint, swelling of the face, closing of the throat, difficulty breathing, hives or rash, dizziness, shaking, nausea, or chest pain.
Tell your child's provider if your child has ever had side effects within 2-3 days after receiving a vaccine that contained the whooping vaccine. Symptoms could've included fever, fainting, nonstop crying that lasted at least 3 hours, or seizures with or without a fever. Your child's provider will decide whether DTaP/polio vaccine is a good option for them.
Risk factors: Medical conditions that weaken the immune system | Taking medications that lower your immune system
DTaP/polio vaccine might not work well in everyone, especially for people with a weakened immune system. This can put you at higher risk of diphtheria, tetanus, and whooping cough, even after you've received the vaccine. If your child has any medical conditions (e.g., HIV (human immunodeficiency disease) or cancer) or take medications that weaken your immune system (e.g., high-dose corticosteroids or transplant medications), talk to your child's provider before they receive DTaP/polio vaccine.
Risk factors: Fainting after vaccines in the past
Receiving injectable vaccines, such as DTaP/polio vaccine, can cause some people to faint. Early signs of fainting include changes in vision, tingling sensation, and stiffening or twitching of your arms and legs. Let your child's provider know if your child has fainted after vaccines in the past so they can be monitored.
Although very rare, some people reported getting GBS after they've received DTaP/polio vaccine. GBS is a rare condition that causes muscle weakness and paralysis. Let your child's provider know right away if your child has experienced these symptoms, especially if it occurred within 6 weeks of receiving a tetanus vaccine.
Your provider will decide whether Quadracel or Kinrix is the better option for your child based on what DTaP vaccines your child had previously received.
Children (age 4 to 6 years old): The typical dose is 1 injection (0.5 mL) into the shoulder muscle as the 5th dose in the DTaP vaccine series, and the 4th or 5th dose in the polio vaccine series.
Brain problem: Having seizures for a long time, not able to respond normally, or having a coma within 7 days of a previous dose of a pertussis-containing vaccine
Progressive seizure disorders: Having seizures for a long time after receiving a previous dose of a pertussis-containing vaccine
Prevention of:
Diphtheria
Tetanus
Pertussis (whooping cough)
Poliovirus
Diphtheria
Tetanus
Pertussis (whooping cough)
Prevention of polio in adults and children 2 months of age and older
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