We are independent & ad-supported. We may earn a commission for purchases made through our links.
Advertiser Disclosure
Our website is an independent, advertising-supported platform. We provide our content free of charge to our readers, and to keep it that way, we rely on revenue generated through advertisements and affiliate partnerships. This means that when you click on certain links on our site and make a purchase, we may earn a commission. Learn more.
How We Make Money
We sustain our operations through affiliate commissions and advertising. If you click on an affiliate link and make a purchase, we may receive a commission from the merchant at no additional cost to you. We also display advertisements on our website, which help generate revenue to support our work and keep our content free for readers. Our editorial team operates independently of our advertising and affiliate partnerships to ensure that our content remains unbiased and focused on providing you with the best information and recommendations based on thorough research and honest evaluations. To remain transparent, we’ve provided a list of our current affiliate partners here.
Health

Our Promise to you

Founded in 2002, our company has been a trusted resource for readers seeking informative and engaging content. Our dedication to quality remains unwavering—and will never change. We follow a strict editorial policy, ensuring that our content is authored by highly qualified professionals and edited by subject matter experts. This guarantees that everything we publish is objective, accurate, and trustworthy.

Over the years, we've refined our approach to cover a wide range of topics, providing readers with reliable and practical advice to enhance their knowledge and skills. That's why millions of readers turn to us each year. Join us in celebrating the joy of learning, guided by standards you can trust.

What is a DTaP Vaccination?

Tricia Christensen
By
Updated: May 17, 2024
Views: 7,154
Share

The DTaP vaccination is meant to protect against the potentially serious illnesses of diphtheria, tetanus, and pertussis (DTaP). The vaccine actually refers to a series of shots recommended for most newborns, since single shots don’t necessarily confer total immunity. These injections are given on recommended schedules that may vary from region to region, and might be different based on each individual’s child’s case.

Given the number of diseases for which there is now vaccination, it makes sense to combine immunizations to cut down on number of shots a child will need. Since recommendations are that five shots of DTaP are needed over the first five to six years of life to confer immunity, that would be potentially 15 injections a child would have to endure. Putting together a shot that can cover all three diseases makes it easier on the child, but on the other hand, some children will not need or cannot have vaccines for one or more of these illnesses, and might require a different shot formulation.

As previously stated, the DTaP vaccination protects against three illnesses that can have very serious consequences if contracted. Diphtheria creates what could be called excessively severe croup that causes membranous mucous to form in the back of the throat, possibly resulting in choking to death. Pertussis is whooping cough, and though often treated as a mild disorder, pertussis has been linked to death, brain damage, and severe pneumonia. Tetanus does kill about 20% of the people it affects or it can have long-lasting and painful side effects after recovery.

Many people weigh these risks against the risks associated with obtaining a DTaP vaccination. The most severe and rarest risks are allergic reaction, seizures, or coma. Moderately severe reactions sometimes occur including when children having a crying fit after the shot that lasts several hours, or some children develop a fever over 105 degrees F (40.56 degrees C). More commonly lower fever, upset stomach, discomfort at the injection site, fussiness, or sleepiness occurs.

One unusual reaction is swelling of the whole arm or leg where the injection was received. This is most associated with fourth and fifth booster shots. It should be reported to a doctor, though it is relatively rare. Parents who feel their child may be having a bad reaction to the DTaP vaccination should get medical help, particularly if breathing is impaired, fever is high, a child is extremely lethargic, or if unusual swelling of symptoms like seizures occur.

Description of bad reactions to the DTaP vaccination is always necessary so that parents can help determine best medical course. It can be emphatically stated that risks of extreme and life threatening reactions to the vaccinations are nowhere near as elevated as risks of contracting these actual diseases. From a statistical profile getting the shot is much safer than getting any of these diseases, and the majority of mainstream medical professionals highly recommend vaccination.

Share
WiseGeek is dedicated to providing accurate and trustworthy information. We carefully select reputable sources and employ a rigorous fact-checking process to maintain the highest standards. To learn more about our commitment to accuracy, read our editorial process.
Tricia Christensen
By Tricia Christensen
With a Literature degree from Sonoma State University and years of experience as a WiseGeek contributor, Tricia Christensen is based in Northern California and brings a wealth of knowledge and passion to her writing. Her wide-ranging interests include reading, writing, medicine, art, film, history, politics, ethics, and religion, all of which she incorporates into her informative articles. Tricia is currently working on her first novel.

Editors' Picks

Discussion Comments
Tricia Christensen
Tricia Christensen
With a Literature degree from Sonoma State University and years of experience as a WiseGeek contributor, Tricia...
Learn more
Share
https://www.wisegeek.net/what-is-a-dtap-vaccination.htm
Copy this link
WiseGeek, in your inbox

Our latest articles, guides, and more, delivered daily.

WiseGeek, in your inbox

Our latest articles, guides, and more, delivered daily.