Everything you need to know about the Diphtheria Vaccine

As a mother or father, one of your biggest responsibilities is to protect your child from diseases. So one of the best weapons we have for this is vaccination. Today we are going to talk about one such very important vaccine that everyone should be aware of. That is the diphtheria vaccine. You may have heard this name. Let's see simply what it is and why it is important.

What kind of disease is diphtheria?

Simply put, diphtheria is a bacterial infection. When this bacteria enters our body, it mainly affects our nose and throat. This causes the inside of the throat and nose to become severely infected and begin to swell. Imagine, a thick, gray coating forms inside the throat. This can even make it difficult to breathe.

This disease is now very rare in developed countries. The main reason for this is successful vaccination programs. However, since this disease has not yet been eradicated from the world, it is essential for all of us to get this vaccine and protect ourselves. In Sri Lanka, this vaccine is also given to children under the national vaccination program.

Why is the diphtheria vaccine essential for us?

One might think, "If this disease isn't so common now, why do we need to get a vaccine for it?" There are several reasons.

• Protecting against serious complications: Diphtheria doesn't just stop with a sore throat. This infection can lead to serious conditions like pneumonia ( a lung infection), lung failure, and damage to the nervous system and paralysis . It is reported that approximately one in ten people who get diphtheria die. So this is not something to be taken lightly.
• Protecting the entire community: Imagine what would happen if most people in the community got this vaccine. Then the spread of this disease from one person to another would be largely eliminated. We call this "herd immunity." Even small babies who cannot get vaccinated, or those who cannot get vaccinated due to other medical conditions, would be protected in this way.

So, getting the diphtheria vaccine is the best and only way to protect yourself.

What types of diphtheria vaccines are there?

There are several types of vaccines that are given to protect against diphtheria. None of these are vaccines that are given only for diphtheria. They are combination vaccines that protect us from other diseases as well. If you look at your child's vaccination card, you will be able to see these names.

What is the schedule for getting the vaccine?

These vaccines should be administered at different ages. There may be slight variations in this schedule according to the National Immunization Program in Sri Lanka, so it is important to follow your child's vaccination card and the instructions of your family health worker. The generally recommended schedule internationally is as follows.

For young children (DTaP vaccine)

A young child should receive 5 doses of DTaP vaccine.

• At 2 months of age
• At 4 months of age
• At 6 months of age
• Between 15 and 18 months of age
• Between 4 and 6 years old

For older children and pregnant mothers

Children between the ages of 11-12 are given a booster dose of the Tdap vaccine.

It is important for pregnant women to get the Tdap vaccine during the third trimester of each pregnancy. This ensures that the antibodies produced in the mother's body pass on to the baby, protecting the baby from diseases like whooping cough in the first few months after birth.

For adults

As adults, we should all get a Td or Tdap booster shot every 10 years . This is very important to protect against measles.

What to do if you miss a dose of vaccine?

Don't worry, "Oh, my baby couldn't get vaccinated on the scheduled day." If that happens, the best thing to do is to see your family doctor or family health worker as soon as possible for advice. They will give you a date for the next vaccination.

If you missed your 10-year booster shot as an adult, you can talk to your doctor about getting it at your next appointment. Sometimes, if you have an accident and have a broken skin (such as a rust stain), your doctor will ask you when you last got your last tetanus shot. If you don't remember, they will often give you a Td shot at the same time just to be on the safe side.

Who should not get the diphtheria vaccine?

Although this vaccine is generally safe for everyone, doctors decide to postpone or not give the vaccine in some special cases.

If you or your child has any of the following conditions, be sure to tell your doctor before receiving the vaccine.

• If you have had a severe allergic reaction to a previous diphtheria vaccine.
• If you have a severe allergy to any of the ingredients in the vaccine.
• If you have had severe pain, swelling, a fever over 105°F (40.5°C), or continuous crying for hours after a previous diphtheria vaccine.
• If you have a nervous system disorder (e.g., seizures) or Guillain-Barré syndrome (a rare condition in which the immune system attacks the nerves).
• If you are suffering from a common illness such as fever or cold on the day of vaccination (in such cases, the vaccine will be given after recovery).

Are there any side effects of the vaccine?

Most people do not experience any serious side effects. However, some minor, temporary discomfort may occur. These usually disappear completely within a few hours or a day or two.

• Redness, swelling, or pain at the injection site
• Body pain
• Feeling tired ( Fatigue )
• Headache
• Appetite
• A slight fever
• Nausea or vomiting

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