Diphtheria, Tetanus, Pertussis, Polio, Hib (DTaP-IPV-Hib)
Diphtheria is a respiratory (breathing) disease caused by a bacterium. It causes a thick covering to form at the back of the throat. Tetanus (lockjaw) is a disease of the nervous system. It is caused by a bacterium found in the soil. Pertussis (whooping cough) is a very contagious respiratory disease caused by a bacterium. It leads to very bad spasms of coughing that last for weeks or months. Poliomyelitis (polio) is a viral disease of the intestinal tract. It spreads to the nervous system. Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib) is a bacterial disease. It may lead to meningitis, pneumonia or swelling of the windpipe.
What are the risks of getting the diseases?
- Diphtheria. The bacterium makes a poison that can cause paralysis or heart damage. Before routine immunization, diphtheria was one of the most common causes of death in children, especially babies.
- Tetanus. The bacterium enters the body through an open wound and makes a toxin. The toxin causes severe muscle spasms. Even today, 10-20% of people who get tetanus die.
- Pertussis. The cough with pertussis can interfere with eating, drinking and breathing. Very bad cases may lead to pneumonia, convulsions and brain swelling (encephalitis). Complications of pertussis are worse in babies.
- Poliomyelitis may cause paralysis, permanent disability or death. Poliomyelitis is still found in other parts of the world and can be brought to Canada by travellers.
- Haemophilus influenzae type b may lead to meningitis, pneumonia or swelling of the windpipe. It can also cause severe infections of the blood, joints, bones and the covering of the heart. Many children and adults may have the bacterium and not know it.
Hib is more serious in children who are less than 1 year old. Of those who get meningitis, 1 in 20 will die from it. More than 30% will have permanent nervous system damage or deafness.
Getting the DTaP-IPV-Hib vaccine is much safer than getting the diseases.
How well does the vaccine work?
- When children get the entire series (5 immunizations) they have 92-98% protection against diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis, polio and Hib.
What is in the vaccine?
- There are no live bacteria or viruses in the vaccine-the vaccine is made with tiny amounts of each of the viruses or bacteria that have been killed. This means that you can’t get the diseases from the vaccine.
When is the vaccine given?
- The vaccine is given in a series at 2, 4, 6 and 18 months old and again at 4-6 years old (except for Hib). One dose of the diphtheria, tetanus and acellular pertussis components is recommended at 12 years old or older (usually given in grade 9).
- Adults who have not had a dose of acellular pertussis in adulthood are eligible for the diphtheria, tetanus and acellular pertussis vaccine. Tetanus and diphtheria vaccine boosters are recommended every 10 years from then on.
What are the risks with immunization?
There can be side effects with DTaP-IPV-Hib vaccine. Some children may:
- have redness, swelling and soreness in the area where the needle was given (may be more redness and swelling with the fourth and fifth dose of this vaccine)
- be fussy or irritable
- have a slight fever
- get a small painless lump where the needle was given (usually goes away within 2 months)
As with any vaccine, unexpected or unusual reactions can happen. Severe allergic reactions are very rare, at a rate of about 2 reports per 1 million doses distributed.