Diphtheria and tetanus toxoids and pertussis - dif-THEER-ee-a and TET-n-us and per-TUS-iss vaccine - also known as DTP is a combination immunizing agent given by injection to prevent diphtheria, tetanus and pertussis.
Diphtheria is a serious illness that can cause breathing difficulties, heart problems, nerve damage, pneumonia and possibly death. The risk of serious complications and death is greater in very young children and in the elderly.
Tetanus - also known as lockjaw is a serious illness that causes convulsions - seizures and severe muscle spasms that can be strong enough to cause bone fractures of the spine. Tetanus causes death in 30 to 40 percent of cases.
Pertussis - also known as whooping cough is a serious disease that causes severe spells of coughing that can interfere with breathing. Pertussis also can cause pneumonia, long-lasting bronchitis, seizures, brain damage and death.
Immunization against diphtheria, tetanus and pertussis is recommended for all infants and children from 2 months of age up to their 7th birthday. Children 7 years of age and older and adults must receive immunizing agents that contain only diphtheria and tetanus toxoids and not pertussis vaccine. Adults must receive the diphtheria and tetanus injections every 10 years for the rest of their lives.
Diphtheria, tetanus and pertussis are serious diseases that can cause life-threatening illnesses. Although some serious side effects can occur after a dose of DTP - usually from the pertussis vaccine in DTP, this rarely happens. The risk of your child catching one of these diseases and being permanently injured or dying as a result is much greater than the risk of your child getting a serious side effect from the DTP vaccine.
DTP is available in the following dosage form:
Some commonly using brand names are:
In the USA
In Canada
Generic name product may be available in the USA and Canada.
Other commonly using names are acellular DTP , DTaP , DTP , DTwP and whole-cell DTP .