DPT vaccine
From Free net encyclopedia
DPT, (sometimes DTP) is a mixture of three vaccines, to immunize against diphtheria, pertussis, and tetanus.
DTP vaccine may be distinguished as "DTwP" and "DTaP", with "wP" referring to "whole cell pertussis" and "aP" referring to "acellular pertussis". (The acellular form is considered safer and contains far fewer antigens than the older preparation.) Current versions of DTP in Europe do not contain preservatives, older ones contained Thimerosal.
Moderate reactions to DPT vaccines occur in 0.1% to 1.0% of children and include ongoing crying (for three hours or more), a high fever (up to 105 degrees F), and an unusual, high-pitched crying.
Severe problems closely following DPT immunization happen very rarely. These include a serious allergic reaction, prolonged seizures, a decrease in consciousness, lasting brain disease, or even death. Such severe neurologic events occur after approximately 1 in 140,000 doses of the DPT vaccine (0.0007%). Most of the reactions to DPT injection are thought to be from the pertussis component.
The usual course of immunisation is five doses between 2 months and 15 years.
References
- Price's textbook of the practice of medicine. ISBN 019263209
- "Immunisation Against Infectious Disease". (1996). - The Green Book. (with updates) Department of Health (United Kingdom). [1] Template:Vaccines