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Overview: Diphtheria, tetanus, and whooping cough (pertussis)(DTaP) vaccine is used to prevent diphtheria, tetanus, and pertussis. It works by triggering the body’s immune response to make a type of protein (antibodies) against the bacteria that cause diphtheria, tetanus, and pertussis. Common side effects include pain, itching, swelling, tenderness, or redness near the injection site; fussiness; irritability; crying that won’t calm down; and fever. DTaP vaccine is available as a liquid that is injected into a muscle by a health care provider.

Uses

What is DTaP vaccine used for?

Diphtheria, tetanus, and whooping cough (pertussis)(DTaP) vaccine is commonly used to prevent diphtheria, tetanus, and pertussis.

  • Diphtheria (D) is a contagious, serious bacterial infection. It can cause breathing and swallowing problems, heart failure, paralysis, or death.
  • Tetanus (T) is a serious bacterial infection caused by the tetanus toxin, which affects the nervous system. It can cause painful muscle tightening, known as “lockjaw,” which prevents you from opening your mouth, and can make breathing or swallowing difficult. Tetanus can be transmitted through cuts, wounds, burns, or less commonly, through animal or insect bites.
  • Pertussis (aP), also known as whooping cough, is a contagious bacterial infection that affects the respiratory tract. It causes severe and uncontrollable coughing, often ending in a “whooping” sound. Pertussis can be very serious. In babies and small children, it can lead to pneumonia, seizures, brain damage, or death. In teenagers and adults, it can cause bladder problems, fainting, and rib fractures from severe coughing.

See also: Td Vaccine and Tdap Vaccine

How does DTaP vaccine work (mechanism of action)?

DTaP vaccine works by triggering the body’s immune response to make a type of protein (antibodies) against the bacteria that cause diphtheria, tetanus, and pertussis. If you have antibodies against these bacteria, your body is better able to fight them, which may help prevent you from getting sick.

How should I store DTaP vaccine?

DTaP vaccine is usually given by a health care provider in a hospital or clinic. You will not store it at home.

Side Effects

What are the most common side effects of DTaP vaccine?

The most common side effects of DTaP vaccine are listed below. Side effects may vary depending on the product used and dose number. Tell your health care provider if your child has any of these side effects that bother them.

  • Pain, itching, swelling, tenderness, or redness near the injection site
  • Fussiness and irritability
  • Crying that won’t calm down
  • Weakness, tiredness, or lack of energy
  • Fever
  • Drowsiness
  • Loss of appetite

There may be other side effects of DTaP vaccine that are not listed here. Contact your health care provider if you think you are having a side effect of a medicine. In the U.S., you can report side effects to the FDA at www.fda.gov/medwatch or by calling 800-FDA-1088 (800-332-1088). In Canada, you can report side effects to Health Canada at www.health.gc.ca/medeffect or by calling 866-234-2345.

What are the serious side effects of DTaP vaccine?

While less common, the most serious side effects of DTaP vaccine are described below, along with what to do if they happen.

Severe Allergic Reactions. DTaP vaccine may cause allergic reactions, which can be serious. Get emergency help right away if you have any of the following symptoms of a serious allergic reaction.

  • Breathing problems or wheezing
  • Racing heart
  • Fever or general ill feeling
  • Swollen lymph nodes
  • Swelling of the face, lips, mouth, tongue, or throat
  • Trouble swallowing or throat tightness
  • Itching, skin rash, or pale red bumps on the skin called hives
  • Nausea or vomiting
  • Dizziness, feeling lightheaded, or fainting
  • Stomach cramps
  • Joint pain

Other Severe Vaccine Reactions. DTaP vaccine may cause other severe vaccine reactions. Get emergency help right away if your child has any of the following symptoms. 

  • Rectal temperature of 104 F (40 C) or higher
  • Seizure

Severe drowsiness, less responsiveness, or unresponsiveness

Warnings & Precautions

Who should not use DTaP vaccine?

Allergies to Ingredients. People who are allergic to any of the following should not receive DTaP vaccine.

  • Daptacel
  • Diphtheria and tetanus toxoids and acellular pertussis vaccine
  • Diphtheria/tetanus/acellular pertussis vaccine
  • DTaP
  • Infanrix
  • Any of the ingredients in the specific vaccine product

Your health care provider can tell you all of the ingredients in the specific DTaP vaccine products they stock.

Encephalopathy From Prior Vaccine. If your child has had encephalopathy (coma, decreased consciousness, or seizures) within seven days of a prior dose of a vaccine containing pertussis, they should not receive DTaP vaccine.

Progressive Neurologic Disorder. Your child should not receive DTaP vaccine if they have a progressive neurologic disorder. This includes conditions that cause a decline in the nervous system (brain and spinal cord) function, such as infantile spasms (West syndrome), epilepsy that is not controlled, or progressive encephalopathy.

What should I know about DTaP vaccine before using it?

DTaP vaccine is usually given by a health care provider in a hospital or clinic.

If your child has a history of seizures, the health care provider may recommend giving a fever-reducing medicine at the time of the vaccine and for the next 24 hours. Ask your child’s health care provider for medical advice. 

Follow your health care provider’s instructions for the vaccine schedule. You can get DTaP vaccine at the same time as other vaccines.

Your child’s risk of dizziness or fainting, which may lead to a fall, is the highest within a few minutes after receiving DTaP vaccine. Your health care provider may want to watch your child during this time to ensure their safety.

What should I tell my health care provider before using DTaP vaccine?

Tell your health care provider about all of your health conditions and any prescription or over-the-counter (OTC) medicines, vitamins/minerals, herbal products, and other supplements you are using. This will help them determine if DTaP vaccine is right for you.

In particular, make sure that you discuss any of the following.

Current and Past Health Conditions. Tell your health care provider if your child has any of the following.

  • Fever or recent illness
  • Previous reaction to a vaccine, including fever, fainting, crying that won’t calm down, seizures, Guillain-Barré Syndrome, or Parsonage-Turner syndrome (also known as brachial neuritis, a condition that causes sudden and severe pain in the shoulder and upper arm, followed by muscle weakness, typically affecting one side of the body)
  • A weak immune system, get infections easily, or take medicines or treatments that suppress the immune system (such as radiation or chemotherapy)
  • Seizures
  • Premature birth

Other Medicines and Supplements. DTaP vaccine may interact with other medicines and supplements. Before using DTaP vaccine, tell your health care provider about any prescription or over-the-counter (OTC) medicines, vitamins/minerals, herbal products, and other supplements you are using. See the Interactions section for more details.

Pregnancy. People who can become pregnant are not usually given DTaP vaccine.

Breastfeeding. People who can breastfeed are not usually given DTaP vaccine.

Interactions

Does DTaP vaccine interact with foods or drinks?

There are no known interactions between DTaP vaccine and foods or drinks.

It is unknown if drinking alcohol will affect DTaP vaccine.

Does DTaP vaccine interact with other medicines (drug interactions)?

Always tell your health care provider about all recent and upcoming vaccines, any prescription or over-the-counter (OTC) medicines, vitamins/minerals, herbal products, and other supplements you are using.

In particular, make sure that you discuss if you are using any of the following before using DTaP vaccine.

  • Any medicines or treatments that suppress your immune system such as radiation, chemotherapy, or a corticosteroid, which is a medicine for certain inflammatory conditions
  • Any recent or planned vaccine

This may not be a complete list of medicines that can interact with DTaP vaccine. Always check with your health care provider.

Does interact with other drugs you are taking?

Enter your medication into the WebMD interaction checker

Overdose/Missed Dose

What should I do if I accidentally use too much DTaP vaccine?

If you or someone else has used too much DTaP vaccine, get medical help right away, call 911, or contact a Poison Control center at 800-222-1222.

What should I do if I miss a dose of DTaP vaccine?

DTaP vaccine is given on a schedule at specific intervals. If you miss an appointment for the DTaP vaccine, call to make another appointment as soon as possible.