Daptacel is a combination vaccine that helps prevent diphtheria, tetanus, and pertussis. Diphtheria, tetanus, and pertussis are serious diseases caused by bacteria.

Diphtheria causes a thick coating in the nose, throat, and airway. 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 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 (convulsions), brain damage, and death.

Diphtheria 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, helping the body develop immunity to the disease.

Daptacel pediatric vaccine (diphtheria, tetanus acellular, and pertussis pediatric vaccine (also called DTaP)) is used to help prevent these diseases in children who are ages 6 weeks to 6 years old (before the child has reached his or her 7th birthday).

Daptacel (DTaP) vaccine works by exposing your child to a small dose of the bacteria or a protein from the bacteria, which causes the body to develop immunity to the disease. Daptacel will not treat an active infection that has already developed in the body.

Like any vaccine, Daptacel may not provide protection from disease in every person.

Your child should not receive a booster Daptacel vaccine if he or she had a life threatening allergic reaction after the first shot.

Keep track of any and all side effects your child has after receiving Daptacel vaccine. When the child receives the next booster dose, you will need to tell the doctor if the first shot caused any side effects. Getting diphtheria, tetanus, or pertussis disease is much riskier than getting vaccinated. However, like any medicine, Daptacel vaccine can cause side effects. The risk of Daptacel causing a serious side effect is extremely small.

Any child who has had encephalitis (brain swelling) or a brain or nervous system disease within 7 days after a dose of Daptacel vaccine should not receive another dose.

Daptacel (DTaP) vaccine is given as an injection (shot) into a muscle. Your child will receive this injection in a doctor's office or clinic setting.

Daptacel (DTaP) vaccine is given in a series of shots. The first shot is usually given when the child is 2 months old. The booster shots are then given at 4 months, 6 months, 15 to 18 months, and again between 4 and 6 years of age.

The timing of Daptacel vaccine injections is very important for it to be effective. Your child's individual booster schedule may be different from these guidelines. Follow your doctor's instructions or the schedule recommended by the health department of the state you live in.

Your child may receive other vaccines at the same time as Daptacel (DTaP).

Your doctor may recommend treating fever and pain with an aspirin free pain reliever such as acetaminophen (Tylenol) or ibuprofen (Motrin, Advil, and others) when the shot is given and for the next 24 hours. Follow the label directions or your doctor's instructions about how much of this medicine to give your child.

It is especially important to prevent fever from occurring in a child who has a seizure disorder such as epilepsy.

Usual Pediatric Dose of Daptacel for Diphtheria Prophylaxis:

6 weeks to 6 years: 0.5 mL intramuscularly at 2, 4, and 6 months old, then again between 15 to 20 months old and at 4 to 6 years of age

Comments:
-The first dose may be given as early as 6 weeks of age.

Usual Pediatric Dose of Daptacel for Pertussis Prophylaxis:

6 weeks to 6 years: 0.5 mL intramuscularly at 2, 4, and 6 months old, then again between 15 to 20 months old and at 4 to 6 years of age

Comments:
-The first dose may be given as early as 6 weeks of age.

Usual Pediatric Dose of Daptacel for Tetanus Prophylaxis:

6 weeks to 6 years: 0.5 mL intramuscularly at 2, 4, and 6 months old, then again between 15 to 20 months old and at 4 to 6 years of age

Comments:
-The first dose may be given as early as 6 weeks of age.

Your child may not be able to receive Daptacel if he or she has ever received a similar vaccine that caused any of the following:

• a life-threatening allergic reaction to any vaccine that contains diphtheria, pertussis, or tetanus;

• fainting, going into shock, loss of consciousness;

• seizures;

• nervous system problems or brain disorders (such as infantile spasms or uncontrolled epilepsy);

• Guillain-Barré syndrome; or

• severe pain or swelling after receiving a vaccine that contains tetanus or diphtheria.

Tell the vaccination provider if your child was born prematurely or has a seizure disorder.

Your child can still receive a vaccine if he or she has a minor cold. In the case of a more severe illness with a fever or any type of infection, wait until the child gets better before receiving Daptacel.

Daptacel (DTaP) should not be given to a child who is 7 years or older. Another vaccine is available for use in older children and adults.

Contact your vaccination provider if you miss a booster dose or if you get behind schedule. The next dose should be given as soon as possible. There is no need to start over.

Be sure your child receives all recommended doses of Daptacel, or the child may not be fully protected against disease.

An overdose of Daptacel is unlikely to occur.

Follow your doctor's instructions about any restrictions on food, beverages, or activity.

Get emergency medical help if your child has signs of an allergic reaction to Daptacel: hives; dizziness, weakness; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

Your child should not receive a booster vaccine if he or she had a life threatening allergic reaction after the first shot.

Keep track of all side effects your child has. If the child receives a booster dose, tell the vaccination provider if the previous shot caused any side effects.

Becoming infected with diphtheria, pertussis, or tetanus is much more dangerous to your child's health than receiving Daptacel. However, like any medicine, Daptacel can cause side effects but the risk of serious side effects is low.

Call your doctor at once if the child has any of these side effects within 3 days after receiving a DTaP vaccine:

• high fever (over 105°F);

• fussiness, irritability, crying for 3 hours or longer;

• extreme drowsiness, fainting;

• a seizure; or

• swelling of arm or leg where the shot was given.

Some side effects are more likely to occur after the 4th or 5th dose.

You may be able to treat fever or pain with an over-the-counter pain reliever such as acetaminophen (Tylenol) or ibuprofen (Motrin, Advil, and others). Follow the label directions or your vaccination provider's instructions.

It is especially important to prevent fever from occurring in a child who has a seizure disorder such as epilepsy.

Common Daptacel side effects include:

• mild fussiness or crying;

• fever;

• redness, pain, swelling, or tenderness where the shot was given;

• drowsiness, tiredness; or

• loss of appetite.

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report vaccine side effects to the US Department of Health and Human Services at 1-800-822-7967.

Before receiving Daptacel, tell the vaccine provider about all other vaccines your child has received.

Also tell the vaccination provider if your child has recently received drugs or treatments that can weaken the immune system, including:

• steroid medicine;

• medications to treat psoriasis, rheumatoid arthritis, or other autoimmune disorders; or

• medicines to treat or prevent organ transplant rejection.

If your child is using any of these medications, he or she may not be able to receive the vaccine, or may need to wait until the other treatments are finished.

This list is not complete. Other drugs may interact with DTap vaccine, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Not all possible drug interactions are listed here.