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Immunization protects you from disease.
Get protected, get immunized. - Vaccines make your immune system stronger by building antibodies, which help prevent diseases.
- Immunization is safe. It is much safer to get immunized than to get these diseases.
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What does the dTap-IPV vaccine protect against?
These vaccines get their name from the diseases they protect against, including diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis (whooping cough), and polio.
What is the difference between dTap-IPV and DTaP-IPV vaccine?
These vaccines protect against the same 4 diseases, but the strength of each vaccine is different. The public health nurse will choose the right vaccine for you depending on your age and how many doses you have had.
Who should have these vaccines?
The dTap-IPV vaccine is most often given as a booster dose to 4 year old children, who have already had their first 4 doses in other combined vaccines. It is also given to people whose immunizations are off the routine schedule.
The DTaP-IPV vaccine is currently not available in Alberta.
How many doses of dTap-IPV or DTaP-IPV vaccine are needed?
The first time people get immunized for tetanus, diphtheria, pertussis and polio, 3 doses are usually given over a period of time. This is called the primary series. People usually get this series as babies.
After the primary series, booster doses are needed to keep people protected. Most people are given a booster dose of dTap-IPV or DTaP-IPV at 4 years of age.
How well does the vaccine work?
After the primary series of tetanus, diphtheria, acellular pertussis, and polio vaccine followed by a booster dose, protection is:
- almost 100% for diphtheria, tetanus, and polio
- around 90% for pertussis
It is important to get booster doses because protection may weaken over time.
Where can I get the vaccine?
The vaccine is given at a
public health office in your area.
Are there side effects from dTap-IPV or DTaP-IPV vaccine?
Reactions to the vaccine are usually mild and go away in a few days. They may include:
- redness, swelling, and discomfort where the needle was given
- crying, feeling tired, irritable
- headache
- fever
- poor appetite, nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea
It is important to stay at the clinic for 15 minutes after immunization because people can have a rare but serious allergic reaction (anaphylaxis). If anaphylaxis happens, you will be given medicine to treat the symptoms.
Unusual reactions can happen. Call Health Link at 811 to report any unusual reactions.
How can I manage side effects?
- To help with discomfort and swelling, put a cool, wet cloth over the area.
- If you need fever or pain medicine, check with your pharmacist or doctor. Do not give aspirin to anyone younger than 19 years old because it can cause serious health problems.
- Some people with health problems (e.g., weak immune system) must call their doctor whenever they get a fever. If you have been told to do this, call your doctor—even if you think the fever was due to immunization.
Is there anyone who cannot have dTap-IPV or DTaP-IPV vaccine?
You may not be able to have the vaccine if you:
- have an allergy to parts of the vaccine—always tell your healthcare provider about allergies.
- had a severe or unusual reaction after this vaccine (or a similar one)—always tell your healthcare provider if you have had reactions.
You can be immunized if you have a mild illness (e.g., cold), even if you have a fever.
For More Information
Disease Quick Facts
Diphtheria
- nose and throat infection caused by bacteria
- can cause trouble breathing or swallowing, heart failure, and paralysis
- 1 out of 10 people who get diphtheria will die
- spread by coughing, sneezing, or close contact with an infected person
Tetanus
- bacterial infection that causes spasms of the jaw (lock jaw) and other muscles
- can lead to trouble breathing, seizures, and death
- this bacteria is common in dirt, manure, and human stool and enters the body by a wound or animal bite
- tetanus disease is rare since a vaccine became available in the 1940s
Pertussis
- infection of the airways caused by bacteria
- causes coughing spells that can last for months
- coughing can be so bad it is hard to eat, drink, and breathe (especially for babies)
- can lead to pneumonia, seizures, brain injury, and death
- spread by coughing, sneezing, or contact with infected person
Polio
- nervous system infection caused by a virus
- most people do not have symptoms, but can spread the disease
- can lead to paralysis and death
- spread by infected stool getting onto hands or into food and water, and then into the mouth
