What are the side effects of the DTaP vaccine?
The most common side effects of the DTaP vaccine, similar to any injected vaccine, are pain, irritation, mild redness at the injection site, and a mild fever. These symptoms may lead to prolonged crying. More severe reactions are exceedingly rare. Of the more severe reactions to the old vaccine (DTP), high fever was the most common, occurring 0.3% of the time (or in 3 in 1000 patients). The occurrence of high fever following the new DTaP vaccine is even lower. There are no known long-term effects from this type of fever. It is not possible to develop diptheria, tetanus, or pertussis by receiving the vaccine. What is the vaccination schedule for the DTaP vaccine? Newborn dosing schedule: • Dose #1 at 2 months • Dose #2 at 4 months • Dose #3 at 6 months • Dose #4 at 15-18 months • Dose #5 between 4-6 years, before entering school Older children who have never been vaccinated against DTP should be vaccinated. Call our office for an appointment. Who should NOT receive the DTaP vaccine? Any
