Diphtheria immunization (vaccine)

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Immunizations

DTaP may rarely cause the following more serious complications:

• High fever (more than 105 degrees F) in 1 out of 16,000 children
• Non-stop crying for 3 hours or more in 1 out of 1,000 children
• Seizure in 1 out of 14,000 children

More severe problems occur extremely rarely. These include:

• Serious allergic reaction (less than 1 in 1,000,000 children)
• Long-term seizures/brain damage (extremely rare)

DELAY OR DO NOT GIVE (CONTRAINDICATIONS)

If the child is sick with something more serious than a mild cold, DTaP may be delayed until the child is better.

If the child has had any of the following after an earlier DTaP, consult with the health care provider before the child receives another injection of the vaccine:

• Seizures within 3-7 days after injection
• Any serious brain problem within 7 days after injection
• Worsening of seizures or other brain problem (at any time)
• Mouth, throat, or face swelling (serious allergy) within a few hours after injection
• Difficulty breathing (serious allergy) within a few hours after injection
• Temperature of 105 degrees F or higher within 2 days after injection
• Shock or collapse within 2 days after injection
• Persistent, uncontrolled crying that lasts for more than 3 hours at a time within 2 days after injection

POSTIMMUNIZATION SYMPTOMS AND CARE

For 1 or 2 days after injection with DTaP (DTP), (or less often, the DT or Td vaccine) the child may experience:

• Fever
• Soreness at the injection site
• Swelling at the injection site
• Redness at the injection site

Adults who receive the Td vaccine (particularly if received more often than every 10 years) may experience soreness and swelling at the injection site, lasting for 2 or 3 days.

Your health care provider may recommend measures to reduce normal postimmunization symptoms. Acetaminophen may be recommended to reduce fever and soreness.

Some providers recommend a dose be given just prior to the injection to help avert common, minor side effects. Warmth (such as a warm, damp cloth or a heating pad) may help reduce soreness. Frequently moving or using the arm or leg that has received the injection is recommended and often reduces the soreness.