As a mother or father, one of your biggest responsibilities is to protect your child from serious diseases. So, one of the main weapons we use for this is vaccination. Today we are talking about a very important vaccine given to children in our country, the DTaP-IPV vaccine, which many people call the 'four-dose vaccine'. Let's simply talk about the protection it provides and the things you need to be aware of about it.
What exactly is the DTaP-IPV vaccine?
Simply put, this is a single vaccine that protects your child from four serious diseases. That's why we call it the 4-in-1 vaccine. Let's take a look at what those four diseases are.
- D - Diphtheria (diphtheria): This is a serious bacterial infection that causes a thick coating to form in the throat and can even stop breathing completely.
- T - Tetanus: This is also a serious disease caused by bacteria. It can cause painful muscle spasms that can even lock the jaw.
- aP - Acellular Pertussis (whooping cough): This is a highly contagious, long-lasting, severe cough. It can be fatal in young children. 'Acellular' here means that the vaccine is made using only parts of the bacteria, not the whole bacteria. Therefore, there are fewer side effects.
- IPV - Inactivated Poliovirus (Polio): Polio is a serious viral disease that affects the nervous system and can cause permanent paralysis. 'Inactivated' here means that the vaccine contains killed virus, so the vaccine does not cause the disease.
This vaccine builds immunity in the child's body against all four of the serious diseases mentioned above.
Things to tell your doctor before getting vaccinated
Before giving your child this vaccine, it is very important to give the doctor a complete description of your child's health condition. Be sure to tell them about these things in particular.
- If the child currently has a fever or other infection .
- If the child's immune system is weak .
- If you have any neurological disease .
- If you have had seizures before or if someone in your family has had them.
- If you have a blood clotting disorder (e.g. hemophilia).
- If you are using medications that prevent blood clotting .
- Tell your doctor if you have ever had an allergic reaction to this vaccine or any other vaccine , medicine, or food. Especially if you have allergies to neomycin, polymyxin B, or latex.
Telling the doctor without hiding this information is very important for the child's safety.
How to give this vaccine to the child?
This is an injection into a muscle. It is usually given in the thigh or upper arm. It is given only by a doctor or a specially trained health professional. Each time the vaccine is given, details will be recorded in your child's health record ("baby book") . Keep track of it.
What are the possible side effects after vaccination?
Like any vaccine, this one can cause minor side effects. But don't worry, most of these are not serious. However, there are some things we need to be aware of. For convenience, let's break these down into two parts.
| Side effect | Description and what to do |
|---|---|
| Serious side effects that should be reported to the doctor immediately | |
| Severe Allergic Reactions | Skin rash, severe itching, swelling of the face, lips or tongue, difficulty breathing. These are rare, but if you see them, go to the hospital immediately. |
| High fever | If the fever is higher than 103 degrees Fahrenheit (39.4°C). |
| Unstoppable crying | If the baby cries for more than 3 hours straight and cannot be stopped in any way. |
| Seizures | If you experience body tremors or seizures. |
| Unusual weakness | If the child is unusually weak and shows a collapsed disposition. |
| Minor side effects that are usually nothing to worry about | |
| Pain/swelling at the injection site | Redness, soreness, or slight swelling at the injection site. This is normal and will subside in a day or two. |
| Body heat/low fever | This is common and can be controlled by giving the prescribed dose of Paracetamol as prescribed by the doctor. |
| Kinking and loss of appetite | The baby may cry a little more than usual, not want to eat, or be sleepy. These usually go away in a day or two. |
Do other medications interact with this vaccine?
Yes, some medications can affect the effectiveness of this vaccine. Therefore, it is very important to tell the doctor about all the medications your child is taking (including vitamins and herbal remedies) . Especially,
- Immunosuppressant medications (e.g., adalimumab, anakinra, infliximab)
- Cancer drugs
- Types of steroids (e.g. prednisolone)
If you are using medications such as:
What to do if you miss the vaccination period?
Do not miss the day of vaccination. Getting the vaccine on the scheduled date provides the best protection. If you miss a day, do not panic and call your doctor or family health worker immediately for advice on the next day to get the vaccine.
If you think or suspect that your child has received an overdose of this vaccine, even by mistake, immediately call the National Poisons Information Centre at the Colombo National Hospital , or go to the Emergency Treatment Unit (ETU) of the nearest hospital.
Take-Home Message
- The DTaP-IPV vaccine is a very important vaccine that protects children against 4 serious diseases: diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis, and polio.
- Before giving the vaccine, tell the doctor about your child's health history, existing medical conditions, and all medications you are taking.
- Don't worry about minor side effects like soreness at the injection site and a slight fever. They are normal.
- However, if you experience severe symptoms such as high fever, seizures, or difficulty breathing, see a doctor or go to a hospital immediately.
- Do not skip vaccinations as your child will receive maximum protection by getting vaccinated on time.
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