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DIPHTHERIA VACCINE - a patient's guide
Editorial Team
Overview
Diphtheria vaccine protects children against diphtheria
The vaccine is normally offered in one injection that
also contains tetanus and acellular ptussis (DTaP)
The vaccine is called DTaP and refers to diphtheria, tetanus,
pertussis (whopping cough) .
The Td vaccine given at 11 years contains a smaller amount
of diphtheria vaccine combined with a tetanus vaccine.
Diphtheria used to be a common cause of death before the
vaccine was developed
The vaccine is given at six weeks, three months, five
months and 15 months
What is it?
The diphtheria vaccine protects children against the serious
disease diphtheria which can be fatal.
The disease has almost been eradicated from many western
countries thanks to immunisation with the diphtheria vaccine.
The vaccination is offered in one injection called DTaP
which also contains vaccines for tetanus and pertussis (whooping
cough) .
There is also an injection available that contains just
diphtheria and tetanus vaccines (Td), and an adult vaccine
known as Td that has a smaller dose of the diphtheria component.
This is the injection that is given at age 11.
Diphtheria used to be common in New Zealand, with 794
deaths a year between 1917 and 1931. Diphtheria causes throat
and sometimes skin infections. The infections can be serious
and lead to paralysis and heart failure.
The diphtheria vaccine offers strong protection against
diphtheria. However, some people who have been immunised
still carry the bug in their throats(without becoming ill)
and can pass it on to unimmunised people.
When should it be offered?
Immunisation schedules vary from different countries.
In New Zealand, it is recommended children have the DTaP
vaccine at six weeks, three months, five months and 15 months.
A further tetanus and diphtheria(Td) vaccination is recommended
at 11 years .
What are the side effects?
Some people feel unwell after the diphtheria vaccine and
some get a fever or a headache.
There have been concerns in the past that the pertussis
(whooping cough) part of the vaccine can cause brain damage.
Studies have shown there is probably not a link and if there
is the rate is less than one in a million.
Where to get more information?
Your doctor, practice nurse or plunket nurse will be able
to help.
The Immunisation Advisory Centre, Auckland. Ph 0800 IMMUNE
(0800 466 863)
*This information was provided by the New Zealand Immunisation
Advisory Centre.
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