Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsWhat It IsHow It WorksScheduleDTaP Vs. TdapSide EffectsCost
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
What It Is
How It Works
Schedule
DTaP Vs. Tdap
Side Effects
Cost
The DTaP vaccine protects children ages 6 and younger against three different infections: diphtheria, tetanus, andpertussis(whooping cough).The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends children get five doses of the vaccine between the ages of 2 months and 6 years.
The Tdap vaccine provides similar protection against diphtheria, tetanus, and pertussis to people 7 years and older. It is generally needed every 10 years but may be recommended more often for some people, such as pregnant women. Side effects of both the Tdap and DTap vaccines are usually mild and include tenderness at the injection site and fatigue.
The DTaP vaccine is a combinationvaccine for childrenup to 6 years of age. It’s delivered via intramuscular injection, which means through a large muscle.
DTaP protects against the following diseases:
The DTaP vaccine contains inactivated versions of the bacteria that cause diphtheria and tetanus, as well as pertussis antigens. When injected, this prompts a person’s immune system to produce antibodies that protect them from these infections.
According to the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), most children should get five doses of the DTaP vaccine between the ages of 2 months and 6 years, usually on thisrecommended schedule:
When to Delay a Vaccine
The DTaP vaccine is generally safe for babies and children. However, your healthcare provider may delay it if your child:
DTaP and Pregnancy
Side effects of the DTaP and Tdap vaccines are usually mild and include:
In rare cases, someone may have ahigh fever, seizure, fainting, uncontrolled crying, or temporary swelling of the entire vaccinated arm or leg. With any vaccine, there is a small risk of anallergic reaction.
Call 911If someone has any of the following side effects after a vaccine, get immediate medical attention:Difficulty breathing or swallowingShortness of breathHoarseness or trouble speakingSkin itching, hives
Call 911
If someone has any of the following side effects after a vaccine, get immediate medical attention:Difficulty breathing or swallowingShortness of breathHoarseness or trouble speakingSkin itching, hives
If someone has any of the following side effects after a vaccine, get immediate medical attention:
Mostinsurance plansare required to provide recommended vaccines to subscribers at no cost.
In the United States, people 18 years and younger can get all recommended vaccinations for free through the federalVaccines for Children program. Your child qualifies for this program if they’re uninsured, underinsured, Medicaid-eligible, Native American, or Alaska Native.
State health departments and federally funded health centers may also provide the DTaP vaccine at low or no cost.
Summary
The DTaP vaccine protects children ages 6 and younger from three potentially dangerous infections: diphtheria, tetanus, and pertussis (whooping cough). The TDap vaccine protects against the same infections and is given to children ages 7 and older, as well as adults.
Children should get five doses of the DTaP vaccine between the ages of 2 months and 6 years. Adults should get the TDap vaccine every 10 years and during pregnancy. Side effects from both vaccines are usually mild.
10 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Diphtheria, tetanus, and pertussis vaccines.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Diphtheria.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Tetanus.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Pertussis (whooping cough).Ogden SA, Ludlow JT, Alsayouri K.Diphtheria Tetanus Pertussis (DTaP) Vaccine. National Library of Medicine. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Updated 2022.Healthy Children.DTaP vaccine: what you need to know.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Diphtheria, tetanus, and whooping cough vaccination: what everyone should know.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Get the whooping cough vaccine during each pregnancy.Skoff TH, Blain AE, Watt J, et al.Impact of the US maternal tetanus, diphtheria, and acellular pertussis vaccination program on preventing pertussis in infants <2 months of age: a case-control evaluation.Clin Infect Dis. 2017;65(12):1977–1983. doi:10.1093/cid/cix724U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.Immunization: how to pay.
10 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Diphtheria, tetanus, and pertussis vaccines.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Diphtheria.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Tetanus.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Pertussis (whooping cough).Ogden SA, Ludlow JT, Alsayouri K.Diphtheria Tetanus Pertussis (DTaP) Vaccine. National Library of Medicine. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Updated 2022.Healthy Children.DTaP vaccine: what you need to know.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Diphtheria, tetanus, and whooping cough vaccination: what everyone should know.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Get the whooping cough vaccine during each pregnancy.Skoff TH, Blain AE, Watt J, et al.Impact of the US maternal tetanus, diphtheria, and acellular pertussis vaccination program on preventing pertussis in infants <2 months of age: a case-control evaluation.Clin Infect Dis. 2017;65(12):1977–1983. doi:10.1093/cid/cix724U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.Immunization: how to pay.
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Diphtheria, tetanus, and pertussis vaccines.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Diphtheria.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Tetanus.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Pertussis (whooping cough).Ogden SA, Ludlow JT, Alsayouri K.Diphtheria Tetanus Pertussis (DTaP) Vaccine. National Library of Medicine. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Updated 2022.Healthy Children.DTaP vaccine: what you need to know.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Diphtheria, tetanus, and whooping cough vaccination: what everyone should know.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Get the whooping cough vaccine during each pregnancy.Skoff TH, Blain AE, Watt J, et al.Impact of the US maternal tetanus, diphtheria, and acellular pertussis vaccination program on preventing pertussis in infants <2 months of age: a case-control evaluation.Clin Infect Dis. 2017;65(12):1977–1983. doi:10.1093/cid/cix724U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.Immunization: how to pay.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Diphtheria, tetanus, and pertussis vaccines.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Diphtheria.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Tetanus.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Pertussis (whooping cough).
Ogden SA, Ludlow JT, Alsayouri K.Diphtheria Tetanus Pertussis (DTaP) Vaccine. National Library of Medicine. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Updated 2022.
Healthy Children.DTaP vaccine: what you need to know.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Diphtheria, tetanus, and whooping cough vaccination: what everyone should know.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Get the whooping cough vaccine during each pregnancy.
Skoff TH, Blain AE, Watt J, et al.Impact of the US maternal tetanus, diphtheria, and acellular pertussis vaccination program on preventing pertussis in infants <2 months of age: a case-control evaluation.Clin Infect Dis. 2017;65(12):1977–1983. doi:10.1093/cid/cix724
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.Immunization: how to pay.
Meet Our Medical Expert Board
Share Feedback
Was this page helpful?Thanks for your feedback!What is your feedback?OtherHelpfulReport an ErrorSubmit
Was this page helpful?
Thanks for your feedback!
What is your feedback?OtherHelpfulReport an ErrorSubmit
What is your feedback?
