Kinrix
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.
What is DTaP/polio vaccine?
What is DTaP/polio vaccine used for?
Prevention of:
- Diphtheria
- Tetanus
- Pertussis (whooping cough)
- Poliovirus
How DTaP/polio vaccine works
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.
Drug facts
Side effects of DTaP/polio vaccine
The following side effects may get better over time as your body gets used to the medication. Let your healthcare provider know immediately if you continue to experience these symptoms or if they worsen over time.
Common Side Effects
Kinrix
- Pain at injection site (up to 57%)
- Redness at injection site (up to 37%)
- Swelling at injection site (up to 26%)
- Feeling drowsy (up to 19%)
- Fever (up to 16%)
- Loss of appetite (up to 16%)
Quadracel
- Pain at injection site (up to 77%)
- Redness at injection site (up to 59%)
- Muscle pain (up to 54%)
- Swelling at injection site (up to 40%)
- Feeling uncomfortable and not well (up to 35%)
- Headache (up to 16%)
- Fever (up to 6%)
Less Common Side Effects
- Sleepiness
- Rash
- Itching
- Feeling faint
DTaP/polio vaccine serious side effects
Contact your healthcare provider immediately if you experience any of the following.
- Serious allergic reactions: hives, rash, shaking, itching, nausea, flushing, dizziness, shortness of breath, chest pain
The following DTaP/polio vaccine side effects have also been reported
Side effects that you should report to your care team as soon as possible:
- Allergic reactions—skin rash, itching, hives, swelling of the face, lips, tongue, or throat
- Feeling faint or lightheaded
Side effects that usually do not require medical attention (report these to your care team if they continue or are bothersome):
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Pros and cons of DTaP/polio vaccine
Pros
- 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
Cons
- 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
Pharmacist tips for DTaP/polio vaccine
- Read the vaccine information statement for DTaP and polio for more information.
- 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.
Common questions about DTaP/polio vaccine
The Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) of the CDC recommends routine vaccination against DTaP and polio starting in children 2 months of age. DTaP/polio vaccine is specifically for children 4 to 6 years old who need the 5th dose in the DTaP vaccine series, and the 4th or 5th dose in the polio vaccine series. Ask your child's provider or pharmacist if you aren't sure if your child needs vaccination against DTaP or polio.
Both brands of DTaP/polio vaccine work well to protect against DTaP and polio and are similar to each other. Quadracel is for children whose previous DTaP vaccine doses were from either Pentacel or Daptacel. Kinrix is for children whose previous DTaP vaccine doses were from either Infanrix or Pediarix. Additionally, Quadracel doesn't contain latex whereas Kinrix does. Ask your child's provider or pharmacist if you aren't sure which vaccine your child needs to get.
There are many different vaccines available in the United States that help protect against diphtheria, tetanus, and pertussis. In general, upper-case letters in the abbreviations mean full-strength doses of each part of the vaccine, whereas lower-case letters mean lower-strength doses. The Tdap and DTaP vaccines protect against all three infections (diphtheria, tetanus, and pertussis). On the other hand, the DT and Td vaccines only protect against tetanus and diphtheria. The DTaP and DT vaccines are for babies and young children who need full-strength doses to build up protection, whereas the Tdap and Td vaccines are recommended for older children and adults. DTaP/polio vaccine is a DTaP vaccine and polio vaccine in one shot.
It's important for your child to complete both the DTaP and polio vaccine series so they can be fully protected from diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis (whooping cough), and polio. These infections can cause severe complications, including death. If your child needs to complete the DTaP and polio vaccine series, DTaP/polio vaccine is a good option since it's a combination vaccine, which means fewer shots and less pain for your child.
DTaP/polio vaccine is given as an injection by a healthcare provider. It's not a vaccine you can pick up at the pharmacy, bring home, and give to your child. You can receive DTaP/polio vaccine at your child's provider's office or local pharmacy, but it's also likely available at certain community sites (e.g., health clinics, schools, workplaces). Children who qualify can receive DTaP/polio vaccine at no cost at certain clinics that are enrolled in the Vaccines For Children Program.
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Risks and warnings for DTaP/polio vaccine
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.
Severe allergic reactions
- 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.
Side effects from previous whooping cough vaccine
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.
Lower response to DTaP/polio vaccine
- 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.
Fainting
- 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.
Guillain-Barre syndrome (GBS)
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.
DTaP/polio vaccine dosage
Syringe| Dosage | Quantity | Price as low as | Price per unit |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0.5ml | 1 syringe | $69.99 | $69.99 |
Typical dosage for DTaP/polio 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.
How much does DTaP/polio vaccine cost?
$69.99
DTaP/polio vaccine contraindications
Contraindications are specific health conditions or situations in which a person should not take a medication due to safety concerns. If you have any of the following conditions or if any of the following apply to you, let your healthcare provider know because DTaP/polio vaccine will not be safe for you to take.
- 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
What are alternatives to DTaP/polio vaccine?
DTaP/polio vaccine images
