Diphtheria, Tetanus, Pertussis, Polio, Hib
Important information about this vaccine.
What are Diphtheria, Tetanus, Pertussis, Polio and Hib?
At one time, diphtheria, pertussis, polio and Hib diseases were common in Canada and tetanus caused about 50 deaths per year. Hib (Haemophilus influenzae type b) was once the most common cause of bacterial meningitis and a leading cause of other serious invasive infections in young children before the introduction of Hib vaccine. There was little anyone could do to prevent a child from getting the infections that caused these diseases. With the introduction of vaccines, many lives have been saved.
Diphtheria is caused by bacteria infecting the nose and throat so children may have trouble breathing or they may have skin or ear infections. The bacteria also produces a poison that can cause paralysis or heart damage. Before routine immunization against diphtheria, it was one of the most common causes of death in children under 5 years of age, especially babies.
Pertussis (whooping cough) causes coughing spells so severe that a child has a hard time breathing or eating. The coughing can last for weeks or months. Children with serious complications may require a long hospitalization. Pneumonia, convulsions, brain injury and death may occur. Complications of whooping cough are more severe in babies.
Tetanus (lockjaw) can happen when tetanus bacteria found in the soil get into wounds. The bacteria make a poison, which is absorbed by the body’s muscles and causes severe spasms. Even with modern medicine, about 10 to 20 per cent of people who get tetanus die.
Poliomyelitis (polio) is caused by a virus. One person in 100 infected with the polio virus is paralyzed and the paralysis may be permanent and crippling. Before the development of a vaccine, thousands of cases of paralysis and hundreds of deaths from polio occurred each year in Canada. Since polio vaccine became available in the mid-1950’s, polio disease has been virtually eliminated in North and South America and is under control in several other parts of the world. However, polio still exists in some countries and could return to Canada through the travels of people who have not been immunized. Until polio is eliminated on a worldwide basis, the risk to Canadians who are not immunized is high.
Hib bacteria causes meningitis (infection of the covering of the brain). Hib can cause other severe infections in young children, including pneumonia, epiglottitis (swelling of the opening to the windpipe), infections in the blood, joints, bones, body tissues, or in the outer covering of the heart.
Before the Hib vaccine was used in Canada, about one in every 300 children would get some form of serious Hib disease before they turned five. Hib also caused at least 1,000 cases of meningitis each year. One in every 20 children under the age of five with Hib infection died and one out of every four with meningitis had permanent brain injury or deafness.
The number of cases of Hib disease dropped sharply since a vaccine for infants was introduced in 1988. However, Hib disease is still present and children who are unvaccinated are at risk.
Hib vaccine helps protect your child from serious infections from Hib bacteria. Hib vaccine does not protect against ear infections caused by Hib bacteria or meningitis caused by other kinds of bacteria or viruses. Although “influenzae” is part of the Hib name, Hib does not cause “the flu” and the Hib vaccine does not protect against flu.
If we do not keep our children protected with vaccines,
the risk of these diseases will increase again.
Who should receive the DTaP-IPV-Hib vaccine?
Children should receive this vaccine beginning at two months of age to help protect them against these diseases as early in life as possible.
DTaP-IPV-Hib (Diphtheria, Tetanus, acellular Pertussis, Polio and Hib) is a combination vaccine given in one needle. It is the best protection your child can have against these five diseases. Combination vaccines are very effective and do not cause more side effects than if given by separate needles. It is usually given at the same time as pneumococcal and meningococcal vaccines.
The DTaP-IPV-Hib vaccine is given in a “series” to help build strong immunity to these diseases. Children receive doses at:
Protection is best if your child has the entire series at the recommended ages. But it is never too late to start. Boosters of tetanus and diphtheria are recommended every 10 years.
Is the DTaP-IPV-Hib vaccine safe?
Yes, this vaccine is safe. Your child cannot get the diseases from the vaccine. In Canada, vaccines must undergo laboratory and field-testing and pass a rigorous licensing procedure with the federal government before they are introduced. Once a vaccine is approved, every lot is tested for safety and quality. In addition, side effects are continuously monitored.
What if your child is allergic to latex or thimerosal?
Your child may still receive this vaccine because thimerosal and latex are not in the DTaP-IPV-Hib vaccine or its packaging.
What are the side effects of the DTaP-IPV-Hib vaccine?
There can be side effects with the DTaP-IPV-Hib vaccine. For a day or two, some children may:
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have a slight fever
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be irritable
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have redness, swelling and soreness in the area where the needle was given (there may be slightly more redness or swelling with the fourth and/or fifth dose of this vaccine)
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get a small painless lump where the needle was given (usually disappears in less than two months).
If your child experiences reactions more severe than described above, please call your local public health office and speak with a nurse.
As with any immunization, unexpected or unusual side effects can occur. Severe allergic reactions (anaphylaxis) are rare, occurring at a rate of about two reports per 1,000,000 doses of vaccines distributed.
What should you do if your child has a reaction to the vaccine?
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For pain or swelling where the needle was given, apply a cool moist towel to the area for about 15 minutes. Repeat as needed.
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Use acetaminophen (e.g. Tylenol® or Tempra®) if your child has pain or a fever (temperature over 38°C or 100.4°F).
Note: Aspirin® (ASA) is not recommended for persons under 18 years of age because of the increased risk of Reye’s syndrome.
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Call your local public health unit or doctor if you have questions or if your child has an unusual reaction to the vaccine.
Talk to a public health nurse or your child’s doctor before getting this vaccine, if the child:
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is sick now with something more serious than a cold or has a fever greater than 38.5°C (101.3°F) or
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has severe allergies to any part of the vaccine or
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is severely allergic to any foods, drugs, bee stings, etc. or
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has a weakened immune system (immune compromised).
Your child should not get the vaccine if he/she:
For more information
Call your local public health office.
CD05
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