DTaP (Diphtheria, Tetanus, Pertussis) vaccine : what you need to know

DTaP vaccine can help protect your child from diphtheria, tetanus, and pertussis.\u2022 DIPHTHERIA (D) can cause breathing problems, paralysis, and heart failure. Before vaccines, diphtheria killed tens of thousands of children every year in the United States.\u2022 TETANUS (T) causes painful tightening of the muscles. It can cause \u201clocking\u201d of the jaw so you cannot open your mouth or swallow. About 1 person out of 5 who get tetanus dies.\u2022 PERTUSSIS (aP), also known as Whooping Cough, causes coughing spells so bad that it is hard for infants and children to eat, drink, or breathe. It can cause pneumonia, seizures, brain damage, or death.Most children who are vaccinated with DTaP will be protected throughout childhood. Many more children would get these diseases if we stopped vaccinating.dtap.pdf1. Why get vaccinated? -- 2. DTaP vaccine -- 3. Some children should not get DTaP vaccine or should wait -- 4. Risks of a vaccine reaction -- 5. What if there is a serious problem? -- 6. The National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program -- 7. How can I learn more?201