Immunization Side Effects

DTP Vaccine

The DTP vaccine, immunizing against diphtheria (D), tetanus or lockjaw (T), and pertussis or whooping cough (P), is given in five injections, usually in the buttocks, upper thigh, or upper arm. The DTP vaccine is recommended for almost all young children. All 50 U.S. states require that children be immunized against diphtheria before entering school; nearly all require immunization against tetanus, and roughly 35 require immunization against pertussis. The first three doses are given at two, four, and six months of age. The next two are given at around 18 months and between four and six years of age, usually before the child enters school. If a child has ever experienced a seizure, the pediatrician may administer only the diphtheria and tetanus portions of the vaccine.

Side effects. Some infants experience mild side effects, such as a low-grade fever (less than 102°F or 38.9°C), irritability, listlessness, and redness and sensitivity in the area where the injection was given. These symptoms may be treated with acetaminophen, but should not be treated with aspirin. About one child in every 100-1,000 receiving the DTP vaccine may experience more serious side effects, such as constant crying for more than three hours, high fever (105°F or 40.6°C), or high-pitched, scream-like crying. Even more rare (about one for every 1,750 cases) are seizure (jerking, staring episode, usually associated with high fever) or collapse (limp, pale, and unresponsive). A pediatrician should be notified immediately if a baby or child exhibits any symptoms beyond the mild side effects after receiving the DTP vaccine. Although there has been some controversy about the DTP vaccine because of the side effects, the American Academy of Pediatrics strongly recommends this immunization for most children on the grounds that the benefits far outweigh the slight risk.

Related vaccines include DTaP (diphtheria, tetanus acellular, pertussis) vaccine, which is less likely to cause even the mild side effects of DTP and may be used for the 4th or 5th doses of DTP immunization; and DT (diphtheria tetanus) vaccine, which does not provide immunization against pertussis, and is not recommended for most healthy children.
Read more: http://www.healthline.com/galecontent/immunization#ixzz1RdkcHe1d