Diphtheria, pertussis acellular, polio, tetanus vaccine
Generic name: diphtheria, pertussis acellular, polio, tetanus vaccine [ dif-THEER-ee-a, per-TUS-is-a-SEL-yoo-lar, POE-lee-oh, TET-a-nus ]
Brand names: Kinrix, Quadracel
Dosage form: intramuscular suspension (-)
Drug class:Vaccine combinations
What is diphtheria, pertussis acellular, polio, and tetanus vaccine?
Diphtheria, pertussis acellular, polio, and tetanus are serious diseases caused by bacteria or virus.
Diphtheria can lead to breathing problems, paralysis, heart failure, or death.
Pertussis (whooping cough) causes severe long-lasting episodes of cough that can interfere with eating, drinking, or breathing. Pertussis can lead to pneumonia, seizures, brain damage, and death.
Polio affects the central nervous system and spinal cord, causing muscle weakness and paralysis. Polio can be fatal if it paralyzes muscles that help you breathe.
Tetanus (lockjaw) causes painful tightening of the muscles that can lead to "locking" of the jaw so the victim cannot open the mouth, swallow, or breathe. Tetanus can lead to death.
Diphtheria, pertussis, and polio are spread from person to person. Tetanus enters the body through a cut or wound.
This vaccine is used to help prevent these diseases in children who are ages 4 through 6 years (before the 7th birthday) who have received prior vaccination with a DTaP and IPV series.
This vaccine helps your child's body develop immunity to these diseases, but will not treat an active infection the child already has.
Like any vaccine, the diphtheria, pertussis acellular, polio, and tetanus vaccine may not provide protection from disease in every person.
Warnings
Becoming infected with diphtheria, pertussis, polio, or tetanus is much more dangerous to your child's health than receiving this vaccine.
Before taking this medicine
Your child should not receive this vaccine if he or she has:
a history of life-threatening allergic reaction to a vaccine containing diphtheria, pertussis, polio, or tetanus;
a history of decreased consciousness, seizures, or coma within 7 days after receiving a pertussis vaccine; or
a progressive or untreated nervous system problem or brain disorder (such as infantile spasms or uncontrolled epilepsy).
Your child may not be able to receive this vaccine if he or she has ever received a pertussis vaccine that caused:
within 48 hours after the vaccine--a very high fever (over 104 degrees), excessive crying for 3 hours or longer, f...
