Daptacel (DTaP) Vaccine
Generic name:diphtheria, tetanus, acellular pertussis vaccine (DTaP) [ dif-THEER-ee-uh, TET-a-nus, ay-SEL-yoo-ler-per-TUS-iss ]
Brand names: Daptacel (DTaP), Infanrix (DTaP), Infanrix (DTaP) Preservative Free
Drug class:Vaccine combinations
What is Daptacel?
Daptacel is a combination vaccine that helps prevent diphtheria, tetanus, and pertussis. Diphtheria, tetanus, and pertussis are serious diseases caused by bacteria.
Diphtheria causes a thick coating in the nose, throat, and airway. It can lead to breathing problems, paralysis, heart failure, and even death.
Tetanus (lockjaw) causes painful tightening of the muscles, usually all over the body. It can lead to "locking" of the jaw so the victim cannot open his mouth or swallow. Tetanus leads to death in about 1 out of 10 cases.
Pertussis (whooping cough) causes coughing so severe that it is hard for infants to eat, drink, or breathe. These spells can last for weeks. It can lead to pneumonia, seizures (convulsions), brain damage, and death.
Diphtheria and pertussis are spread from person to person. Tetanus enters the body through cuts or wounds. Vaccines for these diseases expose the individual to a small amount of the bacteria, helping the body develop immunity to the disease.
Daptacel pediatric vaccine (diphtheria, tetanus acellular, and pertussis pediatric vaccine (also called DTaP)) is used to help prevent these diseases in children who are ages 6 weeks to 6 years old (before the child has reached his or her 7th birthday).
Daptacel (DTaP) vaccine works by exposing your child to a small dose of the bacteria or a protein from the bacteria, which causes the body to develop immunity to the disease. Daptacel will not treat an active infection that has already developed in the body.
Like any vaccine, Daptacel may not provide protection from disease in every person.
Warnings
Your child should not receive a booster Daptacel vaccine if he or she had a life threatening allergic reaction after the first shot.
Keep track of any and all side effects your child has after receiving Daptacel vaccine. When the child receives the next booster dose, you will need to tell the doctor if the first shot caused any side effects. Getting diphtheria, tetanus, or pertussis disease is much riskier than getting vaccinated. However, like any medicine, Daptacel vaccine can cause side effects. The risk of Daptacel causing a serious side effect is extremely small.
Any child who has had encephalitis (brain swelling) or a brain or nervous system disease within 7 days after a dose of Daptacel vaccine should not receive another dose.
