Diphtheria
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Diphtheria is an acute bacterial disease
involving primarily the tonsils, pharynx, larynx, nose, skin, and occasionally
other mucous membranes. The characteristic lesion is marked by a patch or patches
of an adherent grayish membrane with a surrounding inflammation.
Tetanus is an acute disease characterized
by muscle rigidity and painful spasms, often starting in the muscles of the
jaw and neck. The disease is caused by neurotoxin produced by anaerobic tetanus
bacilli growing in contaminated wounds. Lesions that are considered “tetanus
prone” are wounds contaminated with dirt, feces or saliva, deep wounds, or those
with necrotic tissue. However, tetanus has been associated with apparently clean
superficial wounds, surgical procedures, insect bites, dental infections, chronic
sores and infections, and intravenous drug use. In 5%–10% of reported cases
in the United States, no antecedent wound was identified.
Pertussis is an acute bacterial disease involving
the respiratory tract, characterized by prolonged paroxysmal coughing. Persons
in all age groups can be infected. Complications and deaths from pertussis are
most common among infants.
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Diphtheria remains a serious disease throughout much of
the world. In particular, large outbreaks of diphtheria occurred in the 1990s
throughout Russia and the independent countries of the former Soviet Union.
Most life-threatening cases occurred in unvaccinated or inadequately immunized
persons. Travelers to disease-endemic areas may be at increased risk for exposure
to toxigenic strains of Corynebacterium diphtheriae when travel is
for extended periods, when there is contact with children, or when conditions
are crowded or foster sharing of respiratory secretions. Countries with endemic
diphtheria include Africa – Algeria, Egypt, and the countries in sub-Saharan
region; Americas – Brazil, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, and Haiti;
Asia/Oceania – Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Cambodia, China, India, Indonesia,
Iran, Iraq, Laos, Mongolia, Burma (Myanmar), Nepal, Pakistan, Philippines,
Syria, Thailand, Turkey, Vietnam, and Yemen; and Europe – Albania and
all countries of the former Soviet Union. Control measures may have been implemented,
but a risk of diphtheria remains in all these areas.
Tetanus is a global health problem since Clostridium
tetani spores are ubiquitous. The disease occurs almost exclusively in
persons who are unvaccinated or inadequately immunized.
Pertussis is severe primarily in children; it is often associated
with complications and has a relatively high case-fatality ratio in unvaccinated
infants. Pertussis can also occur in adolescents and adults after immunity
from vaccines has waned. Pertussis is highly communicable and is common, particularly
in countries where vaccination is not generally provided.
When pertussis is highly suspected in a patient,
chemoprophylaxis of all close contacts and high-risk contacts with
erythromycin is recommended regardless of their age and vaccination
status. Initiating chemoprophylaxis 3 weeks
or more after exposure has limited benefit
for the contacts. However, chemoprophylaxis should be considered for
high-risk contacts up to 6 weeks after exposure.
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Diphtheria and pertussis are more frequent in
parts of the world where vaccination levels are low. Tetanus can
occur anywhere in the world in unvaccinated persons.
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Immunizations for Infants and Children
< 7 Years of Age
Simultaneous immunization against diphtheria, tetanus, and pertussis during
infancy is recommended. Combination vaccines contain diphtheria and tetanus
toxoids and either whole-cell pertussis antigens (DTwP) or acellular pertussis
antigens (DtaP). Neither DTwP nor DTaP pertussis vaccine is licensed for persons
7or more years of age. DTwP vaccine is no longer available for use in the
United States. Pertussis vaccination is not recommended after a child's seventh
birthday.
Three brands of DTaP currently are approved for use and are available in
the United States. Each brand contains a different number and concentration
of pertussis antigen. Each is safer than DTwP vaccine. The Advisory Committee
on Immunization Practices (ACIP) and the American Academy of Pediatrics indicate
no preferences for one brand over another.
Primary immunization for infants and children up to the seventh birthday
consists of four doses of DTaP vaccine. The first dose is typically given
when an infant is 2 months of age. The first three doses should be given at
4- to 8-week intervals, with the fourth dose given when the infant is 15–18
months of age. A fifth (booster) dose is recommended when the child is 4–6
years of age. The fifth dose is not necessary if the fourth dose in the primary
series was given after the child's fourth birthday.
Three—and preferably four—doses of DTaP are necessary for protection against
diphtheria and pertussis. Travelers should be advised to complete as many
doses as possible of the primary series before traveling. If an accelerated
schedule is required to complete the series of DtaP vaccine, the schedule
may be started as soon as the infant is 6 weeks of age, with the second
and third doses given 4 weeks after each preceding dose. The fourth dose
should not be given before the child is 12 months of age and should be separated
from the third dose by at least 6 months. The fifth (booster) dose should
not be given before the child is 4 years of age. Interruption of the recommended
schedule or delay in doses does not lead to a reduction in the level of
immunity reached on completion of the primary series. There is no need to
restart a series regardless of the time that has elapsed between doses.
There are limited data describing the safety, immunogenicity, and efficacy
of using DTaP vaccines from different manufacturers for successive doses of
the primary or booster vaccination series (“mix and match”). Whenever possible,
the same brand of DTaP vaccine should be used for all doses of the vaccination
series. To avoid delays in vaccination, any licensed DTaP vaccine may be used
to continue or complete the vaccination series, if the type of vaccine previously
administered is not known or the type of vaccine used for earlier doses is
not available. A pertussis vaccination series begun with DTwP may be completed
with DTaP.
Infants and children inadequately immunized for their age should be brought
up to date before travel. For infants and children <7 years of age with
a contraindication to the pertussis component of DTaP, diphtheria-tetanus
(DT) should be used.
Immunizations for Children 7 or More Years
of Age, Adolescents, and Adults
Children 7 or more years of age, adolescents, and adults should receive the
adult formulation of tetanus and diphtheria toxoids (Td) whenever either tetanus
or diphtheria toxoid is indicated. Anyone 7 or more years of age who has not
received a primary series against tetanus and diphtheria should receive three
doses of Td; the first two doses should be given 4–8 weeks apart and the third
dose 6–12 months after the second. Two doses of Td received at intervals of
at least 4 weeks can provide some protection, but a single dose is of little
benefit. In the rare instance when administration of the third dose following
a 6- to 12-month interval cannot be ensured, the third Td dose can be given
4–8 weeks after the second dose to complete the primary series. Anyone for
whom primary tetanus and diphtheria vaccination is uncertain should be considered
unvaccinated and should receive the three-dose series. Anyone who has received
only one or two prior doses of tetanus and diphtheria toxoids should receive
additional doses to complete the three-dose series. The first booster dose
of Td should be given when the child is 11 or 12 years of age if at least
5 years has elapsed since the last dose of DTaP or pediatric DT. Thereafter,
routine booster doses of Td should be given every 10 years.
Adverse Reactions
Local reactions (generally erythema and induration with or without tenderness)
are common after the administration of vaccines containing diphtheria, tetanus,
and pertussis antigens. Mild systemic reactions such as fever, drowsiness,
fretfulness, and low-grade fever can occur after vaccination with either DTwP
or DTaP. However, even mild reactions following the first four doses are less
common among children who receive DTaP. For example, fever >38.3° C (>101°
F) is reported in 3%–5% of DTaP recipients, compared with 16% of DTwP recipients.
These reactions are self-limited and can be managed with symptomatic treatment
of acetaminophen or ibuprofen. Reports of moderate to severe systemic events
(e.g., fever 40.5° C or higher [105° F or higher], febrile seizures, persistent
crying lasting 3 hours or more, and hypotonic-hyporesponsive episodes) have
been uncommon after administration of DTaP, and they have occurred less frequently
among children administered DTaP than those administered DTP.
Anaphylactic and other serious adverse reactions are rare after receipt of
preparations containing diphtheria, tetanus or pertussis components, or a
combination of these. Arthus-type hypersensitivity reactions, characterized
by severe local reactions, have been reported in adults who received frequent
boosters of tetanus or diphtheria toxoids. The rates of local reactions, fever,
and other common systemic symptoms following receipt of DTaP are lower than
those following DTwP vaccination.
Precautions and Contraindications
A severe allergic reaction to a prior dose of vaccine or vaccine component
is a contraindication to further vaccination with DTaP, DT, or adult Td. Encephalopathy
not due to another identifiable cause within 7 days of vaccination is a contraindication
to further vaccination with a pertussis-containing vaccine.
Moderate or severe acute illness can be a contraindication to vaccination.
Anyone with mild illnesses, such as otitis media or upper respiratory infection,
should be vaccinated. Anyone for whom vaccination is deferred because of moderate
or severe acute illness should be vaccinated when the condition improves.
Certain infrequent adverse events following pertussis vaccination generally
contraindicate subsequent doses of pertussis vaccine. These adverse events
include temperature >40.5° C (>105° F) not resulting from another identifiable
cause; collapse or a shock-like state (hypotonic-hyporesponsive episode) or
persistent, inconsolable crying lasting >3 hours and occurring within 48
hours of vaccination (applicable to infants and children); and convulsions
with or without fever occurring within 3 days of vaccination. In certain circumstances
(e.g., during a communitywide outbreak of pertussis), the benefit of vaccination
may outweigh the risk, even if one of the four precautionary adverse events
occurred following a previous dose. Under these circumstances, one or more
additional doses of pertussis vaccine may be considered. DTaP should be used
in these circumstances.
DTaP vaccine should NOT be substituted in infants and children who have a
valid contraindication to DTwP vaccine. If a valid contraindication or precaution
exists, DT should be used for the remaining doses in the schedule.
Neurologic conditions characterized by changing developmental findings are
considered contraindications to receipt of pertussis vaccine. Such disorders
include uncontrolled epilepsy, infantile spasms, and progressive encephalopathy.
For an infant who, because of perinatal complications or other conditions,
is thought to be at an increased risk for latent onset of central nervous
system disorders, immunization with DTaP or DT should be delayed until further
observation and study have clarified the infant's neurologic status. The decision
whether to commence immunization with DTaP or with DT should be made no later
than an infant's first birthday. Infants and children with stable neurologic
conditions such as cerebral palsy or well-controlled seizures should
be vaccinated. The occurrence of a single seizure (not temporally associated
with DTaP) does not contraindicate DTaP vaccination, particularly if the seizure
can be satisfactorily explained. Parents of infants and children with personal
or family histories of convulsion should be informed of the increased risk
for simple febrile seizures following immunization. Acetaminophen (15 mg/kg,
every 4 hours for 24 hours) should be given to infants and children with such
histories to reduce the possibility of postvaccination fever. Infants and
children who have received more than one dose of DTaP and who have a neurologic
disorder (e.g., a seizure) not temporally associated with the vaccination,
but before the next scheduled dose, should have their neurologic status evaluated
and clarified before a subsequent dose of DTaP is given.
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Why get vaccinated?
Diphtheria, tetanus, and pertussis are serious diseases caused by bacteria.
Diphtheria and pertussis are spread from person to person. Tetanus enters the
body through cuts or wounds.
DIPHTHERIA causes a thick covering in the back of the throat.
- It can lead to breathing problems, paralysis, heart failure, and even death.
TETANUS (Lockjaw) causes painful tightening of the muscles,
usually all over the body.
- It can lead to “locking” of the jaw so the victim cannot open his mouth or
swallow. Tetanus leads to death in about 1 out of 10 cases.
PERTUSSIS (Whooping Cough) causes coughing spells so bad
that it is hard for infants to eat, drink, or breathe. These spells can last
for weeks.
- It can lead to pneumonia, seizures (jerking and staring spells), brain damage,
and death.
Diphtheria, tetanus, and pertussis vaccine (DTaP) can help prevent these diseases.
Most children who are vaccinated with DTaP will be protected throughout childhood.
Many more children would get these diseases if we stopped vaccinating.
DTaP is a safer version of an older vaccine called DTP. DTP is no longer used
in the United States.
Who should get DTaP vaccine and when?
Children should get 5 doses of DTaP vaccine, one dose
at each of the following ages:
- 2 months
- 4 months
- 6 months
- 15-18 months
- 4-6 years
DTaP may be given at the same time as other vaccines.
Some children should not get DTaP vaccine or should wait 3
- Children with minor illnesses, such as a cold, may be vaccinated. But children
who are moderately or severely ill should usually wait until they recover
before getting DTaP vaccine.
- Any child who had a life-threatening allergic reaction after a dose of DTaP
should not get another dose.
- Any child who suffered a brain or nervous system disease within 7 days after
a dose of DTaP should not get another dose.
- Talk with your doctor if your child:
- had a seizure or collapsed after
a dose of DTaP
- cried non-stop for 3 hours or more after a dose of DTaP
- had a fever over 105oF after a dose of DTaP
Ask your health care provider for more information. Some of these children
should not get another dose of pertussis vaccine, but may get a vaccine without
pertussis, called DT.
Older children and adults
DTaP should not be given to anyone 7 years of age or older because pertussis
vaccine is only licensed for children under 7.
But older children, adolescents, and adults still need protection from tetanus
and diphtheria. A booster shot called Td is recommended at 11-12 years of age,
and then every 10 years. There is a separate Vaccine Information Statement for
Td vaccine.
What are the risks from DTaP vaccine?
Getting diphtheria, tetanus, or pertussis disease is much riskier than getting
DTaP vaccine.
However, a vaccine, like any medicine, is capable of causing serious problems,
such as severe allergic reactions. The risk of DTaP vaccine causing serious
harm, or death, is extremely small.
Mild Problems (Common)
- Fever (up to about 1 child in 4)
- Redness or swelling where the shot was given (up to about 1 child in 4)
- Soreness or tenderness where the shot was given (up to about 1 child in
4)
These problems occur more often after the 4th and 5th doses of the DTaP
series than after earlier doses. Sometimes the 4th or 5th dose of DTaP vaccine
is followed by swelling of the entire arm or leg in which the shot was given,
lasting 1-7 days (up to about 1 child in 30).
Other mild problems include:
- Fussiness (up to about 1 child in 3)
- Tiredness or poor appetite (up to about 1 child in 10)
- Vomiting (up to about 1 child in 50)
These problems generally occur 1-3 days after the shot.
Moderate Problems (Uncommon)
- Seizure (jerking or staring) (about 1 child out of 14,000)
- Non-stop crying, for 3 hours or more (up to about 1 child out of 1,000)
- High fever, over 105oF (about 1 child out of 16,000)
Severe Problems (Very Rare)
- Serious allergic reaction (less than 1 out of a million doses)
- Several other severe problems have been reported after DTaP vaccine. These
include:
- Long-term seizures, coma, or lowered consciousness
- Permanent brain damage
These are so rare it is hard to tell if they are caused by the vaccine.
* Controlling fever is especially important for children
who have had seizures, for any reason. It is also
important if another family member has had seizures.
You can reduce fever and pain by giving your child an
aspirin-free pain reliever when the shot is given, and
for the next 24 hours, following the package
instructions.
What if there is a moderate or severe reaction?
What should I look for?
Any unusual conditions, such as a serious allergic reaction, high fever or unusual
behavior. Serious allergic reactions are extremely rare with any vaccine. If
one were to occur, it would most likely be within a few minutes to a few hours
after the shot. Signs can include difficulty breathing, hoarseness or wheezing,
hives, paleness, weakness, a fast heart beat or dizziness. If a high fever or
seizure were to occur, it would usually be within a week after the shot.
What should I do?
- Call a doctor, or get the person to a doctor right away
- Tell your doctor what happened, the date and time it happened, and when
the vaccination was given
- Ask your doctor, nurse, or health department to file a Vaccine Adverse
Event Reporting System (VAERS) form. Or call VAERS yourself at 1-800-822-7967.
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National Vaccine Injury Compensation
Program
National Immunization Program
Vaccine Adverse Event
Reporting System (VAERS)
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AAT Deficiency
