VACCINE INFORMATION STATEMENT

Many vaccine information statements are 

available in Spanish and other languages. 

See www.immunize.org/vis

Hojas de información sobre vacunas están 

disponibles en español y en muchos otros 

idiomas. Visite www.immunize.org/vis

U.S. Department of 

Health and Human Services 

Centers for Disease 

Control and Prevention 

1. Why get vaccinated?

DTaP vaccine can prevent diphtheria, tetanus, 

and pertussis.

Diphtheria and pertussis spread from person 

to person. Tetanus enters the body through cuts 

or wounds.

 DIPHTHERIA (D) can lead to difficulty breathing, 

heart failure, paralysis, or death.

 TETANUS (T) causes painful stiffening of the 

muscles. Tetanus can lead to serious health problems, including being unable to open the mouth, 

having trouble swallowing and breathing, or death.

 PERTUSSIS (aP), also known as “whooping 

cough,” can cause uncontrollable, violent coughing 

that makes it hard to breathe, eat, or drink. 

Pertussis can be extremely serious especially in 

babies and young children, causing pneumonia, 

convulsions, brain damage, or death. In teens and 

adults, it can cause weight loss, loss of bladder 

control, passing out, and rib fractures from severe 

coughing.

2. DTaP vaccine

DTaP is only for children younger than 7 years 

old. Different vaccines against tetanus, diphtheria, 

and pertussis (Tdap and Td) are available for older 

children, adolescents, and adults.

It is recommended that children receive 5 doses of 

DTaP, usually at the following ages:

 2 months

 4 months

 6 months

 15–18 months

 4–6 years

DTaP may be given as a stand-alone vaccine, or as 

part of a combination vaccine (a type of vaccine 

that combines more than one vaccine together into 

one shot).

DTaP may be given at the same time as other 

vaccines.

3. Talk with your health 

care provider

Tell your vaccination provider if the person getting 

the vaccine:

 Has had an allergic reaction after a previous 

dose of any vaccine that protects against tetanus, 

diphtheria, or pertussis, or has any severe, lifethreatening allergies

 Has had a coma, decreased level of consciousness, 

or prolonged seizures within 7 days after a 

previous dose of any pertussis vaccine (DTP 

or DTaP)

 Has seizures or another nervous system problem

 Has ever had Guillain-Barré Syndrome (also 

called “GBS”)

 Has had severe pain or swelling after a previous 

dose of any vaccine that protects against tetanus 

or diphtheria

In some cases, your child’s health care provider 

may decide to postpone DTaP vaccination until a 

future visit.

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 DTaP vaccine.

Your child’s health care provider can give you more 

information.

DTaP (Diphtheria, Tetanus, Pertussis) 

Vaccine: What You Need to Know
OFFICE 

USE 

ONLY

42 U.S.C. § 300aa-26

8/6/2021

Vaccine Information Statement

DTaP (Diphtheria, Tetanus, Pertussis) Vaccine

4. Risks of a vaccine reaction

 Soreness or swelling where the shot was given, 

fever, fussiness, feeling tired, loss of appetite, 

and vomiting sometimes happen after DTaP 

vaccination.

 More serious reactions, such as seizures, non-stop 

crying for 3 hours or more, or high fever (over 

105°F) after DTaP vaccination happen much less 

often. Rarely, vaccination is followed by swelling of 

the entire arm or leg, especially in older children 

when they receive their fourth or fifth dose.

As with any medicine, there is a very remote chance 

of a vaccine causing a severe allergic reaction, other 

serious injury, or death.

5. What if there is a serious 

problem?

An allergic reaction could occur after the 

vaccinated person leaves the clinic. If you see signs 

of a severe allergic reaction (hives, swelling of the 

face and throat, difficulty breathing, a fast heartbeat, 

dizziness, or weakness), call 9-1-1 and get the person 

to the nearest hospital.

For other signs that concern you, call your health 

care provider.

Adverse reactions should be reported to the Vaccine 

Adverse Event Reporting System (VAERS). Your 

health care provider will usually file this report, or 

you can do it yourself. Visit the VAERS website at 

www.vaers.hhs.gov or call 1-800-822-7967. VAERS 

is only for reporting reactions, and VAERS staff 

members do not give medical advice.

6. The National Vaccine Injury 

Compensation Program

The National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program 

(VICP) is a federal program that was created to 

compensate people who may have been injured by 

certain vaccines. Claims regarding alleged injury or 

death due to vaccination have a time limit for filing, 

which may be as short as two years. Visit the VICP 

website at www.hrsa.gov/vaccinecompensation or 

call 1-800-338-2382 to learn about the program and 

about filing a claim.

7. How can I learn more?

 Ask your health care provider.

 Call your local or state health department.

 Visit the website of the Food and Drug 

Administration (FDA) for vaccine package 

inserts and additional information at 

www.fda.gov/vaccines-blood-biologics/vaccines.

 Contact the Centers for Disease Control and 

Prevention (CDC):

-Call 1-800-232-4636 (1-800-CDC-INFO) or

-Visit CDC’s website at www.cdc.gov/vaccines.