What
is DPT/DT/TT given for?
DPT is a combination vaccine to protect against Diphtheria, Tetanus
& Pertussis (whooping cough). DT protects against diphtheria
and Tetanus and TT protects against tetanus.
When
is DPT given?
3 primary doses of DPT vaccine are given at 4 weeks interval starting
at 6-8 weeks of age along with the 3 primary doses of oral polio
vaccine. It is recommended routinely for each and every child.
When
are boosters of DPT given?
First booster dose of DPT is given at the age of 15-18 months along
with the 1st booster dose of OPV. Govt. of India under EPI recommends
only DT as the second booster at the age of 4-6 years whereas Indian
Academy of Pediatrics recommends DPT and OPV as the 2nd booster
at 4-6 years of age.
Why
do the recommendations differ from authority to authority regarding
2nd booster dose?
Indian Academy of Pediatrics feels that the immunity against pertussis
& poliomyelitis will wear off by 5 years as will happen for
diphtheria & tetanus. This will lead to increased risk of whooping
cough & poliomyelitis in adolescents & adults. Hence IAP
recommends OPV & DPT & not only DT as the 2nd booster at
4-6 years.
How
is DPT given?
DPT is given as intramuscular injection.
What
is the efficacy of DPT vaccine?
Efficacy of diphtheria toxoid & tetanus toxoid is excellent.
The protection is seen in nearly 100% of vaccinees with good long-term
protection after primary & booster doses of DPT. The pertussis
component is a weak candidate & the protective efficacy is seen
in 70-90% of cases.
What
are the side effects of DPT/DT/TT?
Local side effects:
It includes pain, swelling, redness & difficulty in walking.
It is seen in 30-40% of vaccinees. It persists for 24-72 hours &
responds to paracetamol. Sometimes a nodule forms at the injection
site, which may persist for several days to weeks. It may soften
and form a sterile abscess. It does not merit any treatment except
analgesics. If it shows fluctuation, it can be drained.
Systemic side effects: It
includes fever, lassitude, anorexia, vomiting, irritability, excessive
crying etc. seen in 30 – 40 % of patients. Fever is usually
mild to moderate, lasts for 2-3 days & responds to paracetamol
Sometimes, Pertussis component of DPT is responsible for fever more
than 1050 F, excessive crying & screaming spells lasting for
more than 4 hours and convulsions. If a patient develops any of
those adverse reactions it is a contraindication to further use
of DPT & instead only DT should be used. Such reactions should
be immediately reported to doctor.
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