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What is a DPT Vaccine?

Tricia Christensen
Tricia Christensen
Tricia Christensen
Tricia Christensen

The DPT or DTAP is an immunization or vaccine to protect against the diseases diphtheria, pertussis, and tetanus. Five doses are commonly given to children between the ages of two months to five years old. They provide lifelong immunity, in most cases, to diphtheria and pertussis, but do not provide lifelong immunity to tetanus. Tetanus vaccinations need to be repeated every eight to ten years in order to remain effective.

One of the earliest vaccinations a baby receives is the DPT, since especially pertussis — also called whooping cough — and diphtheria are associated with high death rates and complications in young children. Tetanus is usually less common and most often occurs if people are exposed to dirt containing tetanus germs. This can happen if someone get cut on a rusty fence, gets dirt with these germs into a cut, or works around horses, where tetanus would be common if not for similar animal vaccinations.

A DPT vaccine.
A DPT vaccine.

Most children have mild reactions to the DPT vaccine and can include fever and crankiness for a few days, along with soreness at the injection site, which is usually the thigh in infants and the arms in older children. About 1% of children who receive the vaccine may suffer moderate reactions, including crying that can last three hours or more, and fever of up to 105°F (40°C).

Children are immunized against DPT.
Children are immunized against DPT.

Very severe reactions to the immunization are extremely rare, occurring in about one in every 140,000 children. Children who are allergic to the shot components may go into anaphylactic shock right after receiving the injection. This is normally quickly addressed in a doctor’s office by giving the child an epinephrine injection. Children who have had an allergic reaction to the DPT vaccine will not receive future injections. This makes them more vulnerable to contracting these diseases, albeit a risk lessened when other parents immunize their children.

Rusty objects could cause tetanus.
Rusty objects could cause tetanus.

The most severe reactions are seizures, unconsciousness, and death, but these risk factors are weighed against the much greater risk of dying from an illness against which the DPT vaccine protects. Studies in the 1990s suggested that the most common reactions are to the pertussis portion of the hot. In the 2000s, the US began giving the DTAP, containing acellular, not whole cell, forms of pertussis. This is considered safer and just as effective in providing immunity against whooping cough.

The DTaP vaccination protects against diphtheria, tetanus, and pertussis.
The DTaP vaccination protects against diphtheria, tetanus, and pertussis.

There are some differences in the preparation between American and European forms of the vaccine, and Europe does not use preservatives in their DTAP preparation. Preservatives in the vaccinations, particularly those that contain mercury, have caused concerns with some people, who fear that they may pose additional risks to children. It should be noted that the US no longer uses mercury-based preservatives in DPT vaccines.

Tricia Christensen
Tricia Christensen

Tricia has a Literature degree from Sonoma State University and has been a frequent WiseGEEK contributor for many years. She is especially passionate about reading and writing, although her other interests include medicine, art, film, history, politics, ethics, and religion. Tricia lives in Northern California and is currently working on her first novel.

Learn more...
Tricia Christensen
Tricia Christensen

Tricia has a Literature degree from Sonoma State University and has been a frequent WiseGEEK contributor for many years. She is especially passionate about reading and writing, although her other interests include medicine, art, film, history, politics, ethics, and religion. Tricia lives in Northern California and is currently working on her first novel.

Learn more...

Discussion Comments

anon130125

If the bacteria does not occur in pertussis; then the vaccine should be given intramuscularly and the bacteria should be avoided, right? Just toxoid should go into the blood?

anon103362

What are the possible effects if the child received the first dose of dpt and after one week, another shot of dpt?

anon98258

my baby when vaccinated got a high temperature? how to control it?

anon93900

My baby was given the whole cell DPT vaccine with no fever or tenderness at the site. should the vaccine repeated.

anon90093

vaccines contain toxins that will destroy your brain and put heavy metals like mercury into your body.

sdcniit

I have not given my child the DPT vaccine. Now he is three years and four months. Can we start giving the DPT vaccine now? Please inform me is there any harm as it is already been very late.

tareetz

What are the hazards of doubling the dose of DPT vaccine by mistakes? he received the fourth shot after a two months' interval from the third shot.

anon67721

do adults need to get the dpt shot around infants?

anon47891

Why is it the baby got fever when given the DPT vaccine? -virgie

anon45601

A lot of your questions can be found in a really good book called "DPT: A Shot In The Dark".

anon42609

What are the possible effects if DPT vaccines given as early as 9 days instead of 2 months?

ace1032

What are the possible effects if DPT and OPV vaccines were given as early as 9 days instead of 2 months?

anon25467

What are the hazards of doubling the dose of DPT vaccine by mistake?

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    • A DPT vaccine.
      By: Attila Németh
      A DPT vaccine.
    • Children are immunized against DPT.
      By: Sergey Khamidulin
      Children are immunized against DPT.
    • Rusty objects could cause tetanus.
      By: Mikhail Olykainen
      Rusty objects could cause tetanus.
    • The DTaP vaccination protects against diphtheria, tetanus, and pertussis.
      By: oksun70
      The DTaP vaccination protects against diphtheria, tetanus, and pertussis.
    • Children typically receive their final DPT dose before beginning kindergarten.
      By: Ilike
      Children typically receive their final DPT dose before beginning kindergarten.
    • Most medical doctors believe that the benefits of common vaccines, such as the tetanus vaccine, outweigh potential risks.
      By: Filip Ristevski
      Most medical doctors believe that the benefits of common vaccines, such as the tetanus vaccine, outweigh potential risks.