As a mother or father, you too may have questions about each vaccine when you look at your baby's vaccination card. Especially when it comes to the "triple" vaccine, or the triple vaccine, some people get a little scared because they don't know about it. What exactly is this vaccine? Why is it so important for our children? Let's talk about it today to resolve all the questions you have about it.
What is this triple vaccine?
Simply put, this is like a shield that protects our children from three dangerous diseases with one vaccine. Those three diseases are:
1. Diphtheria: This is a serious bacterial infection of the throat and sometimes the nose. It can cause serious complications such as breathing difficulties, heart disease, and nerve damage.
2. Tetanus: This is a dangerous condition caused by a germ that enters the body through a wound. This can cause the muscles of the entire body to tighten, causing severe pain and convulsions. As we all know, this is very dangerous.
3. Pertussis: This is a severe, persistent cough that can make it difficult for babies to breathe, especially in young children. It can lead to serious conditions such as pneumonia and brain damage.
So what this vaccine does is train our body's immune system to fight against all three diseases. The vaccine given to young children is called DTP , and the vaccine given to older children and adults is called Tdap (this has a reduced amount of tetanus and pertussis components). `(Adacel, Boostrix, Infanrix)` are some of the brand names of this vaccine.
Things to tell your doctor before getting vaccinated
Before vaccinating your child, it is extremely important to inform the doctor if you have any of the following conditions:
- If you have had a severe allergic reaction to a previous vaccine, an ingredient in it such as thimerosal, latex, another medicine, or a food.
- If you have had a neurological problem within 7 days of receiving this vaccine.
- If you have seizures or other nervous system disorders.
- If you have a weakened immune system (e.g. HIV, cancer).
- If you have a bleeding or blood clotting problem (e.g., hemophilia).
- If you have a fever or any infection on the day of the vaccination (a mild cold is not a problem, but it is best to ask the doctor).
- If you are pregnant, trying to get pregnant, or breastfeeding (Tdap vaccine is recommended for pregnant women, your doctor will advise you about this).
Giving this information to the doctor will help make the vaccination of your child safer.
How is the vaccine given and what if doses are missed?
This vaccine is given by a trained healthcare professional as an injection into a muscle , usually in the thigh for young children and in the shoulder for older children.
According to the National Immunization Program in Sri Lanka, several doses of this vaccine are given at specific ages, followed by booster shots. To achieve full protection, it is essential to receive all these doses on time.
If for some reason you are unable to attend the clinic on the scheduled day, do not worry. Inform your family doctor or local health officer as soon as possible and arrange a date for the next vaccination. Do not skip vaccinations.
Possible side effects after vaccination
As with any vaccine, there may be minor side effects after the triple vaccine. Most of these will subside within a day or two. However, we should be aware of some serious symptoms.
| Side effects and what to do | |
|---|---|
| 🚨 Serious symptoms that require immediate medical attention | |
| Severe allergies | Skin rash, itching, swelling of the face, lips or tongue, difficulty breathing. |
| High fever | Fever over 103°F (39.4°C). |
| Seizures | Body shaking or loss of consciousness. |
| Crying non-stop | If the baby cries uncontrollably for more than 3 hours. |
| Other serious symptoms | If the child is unusually sleepy or weak, or if the arm or leg where the vaccine was given is excessively swollen. |
| ✅ Symptoms that are usually not serious, but should be reported to the doctor if they persist | |
| The injection site | Slight pain, redness, swelling, or a feeling like a small lump. |
| Mild fever | Slight increase in body temperature. |
| Other minor features | The child's appetite, mild vomiting, irritability, or restlessness. |
Other medicines that may interact with this vaccine
Tell your doctor if you or your child are taking any other medicines, especially:
- Medicines that suppress the immune system (e.g. cancer medicines, medicines such as adalimumab, infliximab).
- Types of steroids `(steroid medicines)` (e.g. `(prednisone, cortisone)`).
- Blood thinners (e.g. warfarin, enoxaparin).
Since taking these medications may affect the effectiveness of the vaccine, your doctor will consider this and make an appropriate decision.
This vaccine is given at a hospital or clinic, so there is no need to worry about storing it at home. In case of an overdose of any other medicine, 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 MMR vaccine is an essential vaccine that protects your child from three dangerous diseases: diphtheria, tetanus, and whooping cough.
- Before getting vaccinated, it is imperative to tell your doctor about your or your child's health conditions, existing allergies, and all medications you are taking.
- It is normal to experience some mild pain, redness, or warmth at the injection site after the vaccine is given. However, if you experience severe symptoms such as high fever, seizures, or difficulty breathing, seek medical advice immediately.
- For complete protection, it is very important to receive all scheduled vaccine doses and booster doses on time, without skipping any.
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