DTaP protects your child from diphtheria, tetanus or what they used to call lock jaw and pertussis (whopping cough). It is recommended that everyone receive 6 shots between birth and the age of 12 with one additional during adulthood. Experts recommend that your child receive a DTaP vaccine at 2 months, 4 months, 6 months, between 15 and 18 months and again prior to entering school between the ages of 4 and 6. A booster shot called the TdAP is recommended at 11 or 12 years of age and again for adults who have never had one or what many call a Td booster every 10 years.
Diphtheria is a bacterial infection that causes a thick coating to develop at the back of the throat making it hard to breath, swallow and in some situations can result in suffocation. If untreated, the infection can spread and may affect tissues and organs throughout the body possibly leading to heart failure or paralysis. If Diphtheria is untreated, it causes death in up to 20% of cases in people under the age of 5 and over the age of 40.
Tetanus or lock jaw is also a bacterial infection that causes severe and painful muscle spasms, seizures and paralysis. Although not contagious bacteria lives in soil and dust and enters the body through a break in the skin. People can get tetanus from any kind of puncture wound or even a tiny scratch if not cleaned or properly cared for. Ten percent of people that are infected by tetanus die.
Pertussis, better known as whopping cough, is extremely contagious but one of the most common vaccine-preventable childhood diseases. It causes cough spells so severe that it is hard for children to eat, drink or breath. Untreated, it can lead to pneumonia, seizures, brain damage and death.
Of course, with everything in life not everyone should receive a DTaP vaccine. Your child should not receive one before they are at least 2 months but never younger than 6 weeks. Also, if your child had a severe reaction to a previous DTaP shot such as difficulty breathing, hives, fainting, high fever, seizure or non-stop crying for three or more hours you should discuss this with you doctor before any more vaccines. Of course, with all vaccines, delay your child’s vaccination if they have a cold, low grade fever, flu like symptoms, etc. Make sure your child is healthy when they receive their vaccine to prevent serious side effects.
However, just like with anything, there can be adverse reactions to a vaccine including DTaP. Most of these dissipate over time such as mild fever, redness, swelling and soreness especially near the site of the vaccination.
In rare cases, serious long-term side effects are possible and do occur. Fever above 102° untreated can cause brain damage. In rare circumstances, the vaccination, primarily the pertussis portion of the vaccine can cause seizures and seizure disorders. These seizures can be anything from what one client described as eye twitching to full blown, full body seizures that most people have in mind when they hear the word “seizure”. These can have long-term devastating effects on your child and your entire family.
We have represented children and families of children who have suffered serious adverse reactions from the DTaP vaccine. If you or a loved one have had an adverse reaction from any type of vaccine please contact us for a no obligation, no cost consultation. It doesn’t matter if you are young or old the Vaccine Injury Compensation Program covers injuries caused by a vaccine regardless of the age of the recipient. Again, do not lose your legal rights as well as your right to recover compensation for your injuries from an adverse reaction to a vaccine. There is no financial risk as the Program pays damages that are proven to have been caused by a vaccine as well as your legal expenses. Take action and call in the Chicago area (312) 988-4830, New York City area (212) 521-4192, Wisconsin area (608) 356-3961 or our toll free number (866) 455-2993 or email mark@kh-law.net with questions or concerns.
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