Diphtheria, haemophilus influenzae, pertussis, and tetanus are serious diseases caused by bacteria. Diphtheria, haemophilus influenzae, and pertussis are spread from person to person. Tetanus enters the body through cuts or wounds. Vaccines for these diseases expose the individual to a small amount of the bacteria (or to a protein from the bacteria) and cause the body to develop immunity to the disease.

Diphtheria causes a thick coating in the nose, throat, and airway. It can lead to breathing problems, paralysis, heart failure, and even death.

Haemophilus influenzae (Hib) usually strikes children younger than 5 years old. Before Hib vaccine, Hib was the leading cause of bacterial meningitis among children under 5 years old in the United States. Meningitis is an infection of the brain and spinal cord coverings, which can lead to lasting brain damage and deafness. Hib disease can also cause pneumonia; severe swelling in the throat, making it hard to breathe; infections of the blood, joints, bone, and covering of the heart; and 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 so severe 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, haemophilus influenzae, pertussis, and tetanus vaccine can help prevent these diseases. Most children who are vaccinated will be protected throughout childhood. Many more children would get these diseases if vaccination did not occur.

Your doctor, nurse, or other healthcare provider will administer the diphtheria, haemophilus influenzae, pertussis, and tetanus vaccines as an injection.

Children should get 4 doses of diphtheria, haemophilus influenzae, pertussis, and tetanus vaccines, one dose at each of the following ages: 2 months, 4 months, 6 months, and 15-18 months.

A fifth dose of diphtheria, pertussis, and tetanus vaccines should be given when the child is 4-6 years of age. A fifth dose of haemophilus influenzae vaccine is not needed.

Children over 5 years old usually do not need haemophilus influenzae vaccine. But some older children or adults with special health conditions should get it. These conditions include sickle cell disease, HIV/AIDS, removal of the spleen, bone marrow transplant, or cancer treatment with drugs. Ask your doctor or nurse for details.

Diphtheria, haemophilus influenzae, pertussis, and tetanus vaccines may be given at the same time as other vaccines.

Diphtheria, haemophilus influenzae, pertussis, and tetanus vaccines should not be given to anyone 7 years of age or older because pertussis vaccine is only licensed for children under 7. 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.

Your doctor may recommend reducing fever and pain by giving the child an aspirin-free pain reliever such as acetaminophen (Tylenol, Tempra, others) or ibuprofen (Motrin, Advil, others) when the shot is given and for the next 24 hours. Your healthcare provider can tell you the appropriate dosages of these medications. Controlling fever is especially important for children who have had seizures for any reason, or if a family member has had seizures.

Talk to your doctor before receiving diphtheria, haemophilus influenzae, pertussis, and tetanus vaccines if your child is taking any of the following medications that may affect the immune system:

• an oral or injectable steroid medication such as betamethasone (Celestone), cortisone (Cortone), dexamethasone (Decadron, Dexone), hydrocortisone (Cortef, Hydrocortone), methylprednisolone (Medrol), prednisolone (Prelone, Pediapred), prednisone (Orasone, Deltasone, others), or triamcinolone (Aristocort);

• an inhaled or nasal steroid such as beclomethasone (Qvar, Beclovent, Beconase, Vanceril, Vancenase), budesonide (Pulmicort, Rhinocort), flunisolide (Aerobid, Nasalide, Nasarel), fluticasone (Flovent, Flonase), mometasone (Nasonex), or triamcinolone (Azmacort, Nasacort);

• treatment for cancer with chemotherapy (medication), radiation, or x-rays;

• azathioprine (Imuran);

• basiliximab (Simulect);

• cyclosporine (Sandimmune, Neoral, Gengraf);

• etanercept (Enbrel);

• leflunomide (Arava);

• muromonab-CD3 (Orthoclone);

• mycophenolate mofetil (CellCept);

• sirolimus (Rapamune); or

• tacrolimus (Prograf).

It may not be recommended to receive diphtheria, haemophilus influenzae, pertussis, and tetanus vaccines if the child is taking any of the medications listed above.

Diphtheria, haemophilus influenzae, pertussis, and tetanus vaccines can be given at the same time as other vaccinations.

There are no restrictions on food, beverages, or activity before or after receiving diphtheria, haemophilus influenzae, pertussis, and tetanus vaccines.

An overdose of diphtheria, haemophilus influenzae, pertussis, and tetanus vaccines is unlikely to occur.

Contact your doctor if a dose of diphtheria, haemophilus influenzae, pertussis, and tetanus vaccines is missed.

Children with minor illnesses, such as a cold, may be vaccinated. Children who are moderately or severely ill should usually wait until they recover before getting diphtheria, haemophilus influenzae, pertussis, and tetanus vaccines.

Any child who had a life-threatening allergic reaction after a dose of this vaccine, haemophilus influenzae (Hib) vaccine, or diphtheria, pertussis, and tetanus vaccine (DTaP) should not get another dose.

Any child who suffered a brain or nervous system disease within 7 days after a dose of this vaccine or DTaP should not get another dose.

Before receiving diphtheria, haemophilus influenzae, pertussis, and tetanus vaccines, talk to your doctor if your child:

• had a seizure or collapsed after a dose of this vaccine or DTaP;

• cried non-stop for 3 hours or more after a dose of this vaccine or DTaP;

• had a fever over 105 degrees Fahrenheit after a dose of this vaccine or DTaP;

• has HIV or AIDS or another disease that affects the immune system;

• is taking a medication that affects the immune system (e.g. steroids, anti-rejection medications);

• has cancer; or

• is receiving cancer treatment with x-rays, radiation, or medication.

Ask your healthcare provider for more information. This vaccine may not be recommended for some of these children.

Children with minor illnesses, such as a cold, may be vaccinated. Children who are moderately or severely ill should usually wait until they recover before getting diphtheria, haemophilus influenzae, pertussis, and tetanus vaccines.

Talk to your doctor before receiving diphtheria, haemophilus influenzae, pertussis, and tetanus vaccines if you are pregnant or breast-feeding a baby.

Your doctor or pharmacist may have additional information or suggest additional resources regarding diphtheria, haemophilus influenzae, pertussis, and tetanus vaccines.

No information available