DTaP and Tdap are two types of vaccines that help protect against three serious diseases: tetanus, diphtheria, and acellular pertussis. The choice of vaccine depends entirely on the person’s age.
The key difference between DTaP and Tdap is their intended age groups. DTaP is a vaccine used for infants and young children, while Tdap is used for older children and adults.
CONTENTS
1. Overview and Key Difference
2. What is DTaP
3. What is Tdap
4. Similarities – DTaP and Tdap
5. DTaP vs Tdap in Tabular Form
6. Summary – DTaP vs Tdap
7. FAQ – DTaP and Tdap
What is DTaP?
Normally, infants and young children are most at risk of serious complications from whooping cough (pertussis). Therefore, doctors recommend DTaP, a vaccine especially designed for young children and infants suffering from whopping coughs. They should receive a 5-dose series of DTaP, usually at the ages 2 months, 6 months, 15-18 months, and 4-6 years, in accordance with recommendations provided by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Other than whooping cough, this vaccine can also provide protection against diphtheria and acellular pertussis.
Moreover, fever, fussiness, feeling tired, loss of appetite, and vomiting sometimes can happen after taking DTaP vaccine. More serious side effects include seizures, non-stop crying for 3 hours or more, or high fever (over 105°F) after DTaP vaccination. In rare cases, vaccination is followed by swelling of the entire arm or leg, especially in older children when they receive their fourth or fifth DTaP dose.
What is Tdap?
Tdap is also a vaccine against tetanus, diphtheria, and acellular pertussis. It is usually used for older children and adults. The CDC recommends that adolescents receive one dose of Tdap preferably between 11-12 years of age. Moreover, adults who are 19 years and older should receive one dose of Tdap if they were not previously vaccinated in adolescence stage. In addition, to ensure continued protection, booster doses of either Td or Tdap should be administered every 10 years throughout life.
Additionally, to help protect infants from whooping cough, pregnant individuals should receive a Tdap dose during each pregnancy, between the 27th and 36th week. Furthermore, the reported side effects of this vaccine include pain, redness, or swelling where the shot was given, mild fever, headache, feeling tired, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and stomachache.
Similarities Between DTaP and Tdap
- DTaP and Tdap are two types of vaccines that can help to protect against three serious diseases such as diphtheria, tetanus and whooping cough.
- Both vaccines are recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
- These vaccines have minor side effects.
- Both vaccines are cost-effective.
Difference Between DTaP and Tdap
Definition
- DTaP is a vaccine for diphtheria, tetanus, and pertussis and is recommended for infants and young children.
- Tdap is a vaccine for diphtheria, tetanus, and pertussis and is recommended for older children and adults.
Dose
- A 5-dose series of DTaP is usually administered at the following ages: 2 months, 4 months, 6 months, 15–18 months, and 4–6 years.
- Tdap is recommended to be given as one dose, preferably between 11 and 12 years of age. For adults aged 19 years and older, one dose of Tdap should be administered if it was not received during adolescence.
Cost
- DTaP costs range from about $22 to $24.
- Tdap vaccine costs range from about $43 to $48.
Side Effects
- Fever, fussiness, feeling tired, loss of appetite, and vomiting sometimes can happen after DTaP vaccination
- Pain, redness, or swelling where the shot was given, mild fever, headache, feeling tired, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, stomachache sometimes can happen after Tdap vaccination.
This summarizes the difference between DTaP and Tdap.
Summary – DTaP vs Tdap
Tetanus, diphtheria, and pertussis are serious bacterial infections. DTaP and Tdap are two types of vaccines that can help protect against three serious diseases such as diphtheria, tetanus, and whooping cough. However, DTaP is recommended for infants and young children, while Tdap is recommended for older children and adults. This summarizes the difference between DTaP and Tdap.
FAQ: DTaP and Tdap
1. What age is DPT vaccine given?
- The dose for DTaP is 0.5 mL IM. The DTaP vaccine is given as 5 primary doses and 1 booster IM injection during childhood, as follows: at 2 months, 4 months, 6 months, 15 to 18 months, and 4 to 6 years.
2. What is the 3 in 1 tetanus shot?
- The Td/IPV vaccine is also known as the 3-in-1 teenage booster. This vaccine is given to people to boost protection against 3 separate severe diseases: tetanus, diphtheria and polio.
3. What are the adverse effects of the DPT vaccine?
- The adverse effects of the DPT vaccine include soreness or swelling where the shot was given, fever, fussiness, feeling tired, loss of appetite, and vomiting, which sometimes happens after DTaP vaccination.
4. What does Tdap vaccine treat?
- Tdap is a combination of three vaccines that protect against tetanus, diphtheria, and pertussis. This vaccine is specifically recommended for older children, adults, and pregnant women.
5. What are the side effects of the Tdap?
- Tdap side effects may include injection site pain, redness, or swelling where the shot was given, mild fever, headache, feeling tired, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, stomachache. The serious side effects were not mentioned for Tdap.
Reference:
1. “DTaP (Diphtheria, Tetanus, Pertussis) Vaccine.” Immunize.
2. “Tdap Vaccine: Tetanus, Diphtheria, Acellular Pertussis Vaccine.” Cleveland Clinic.
Image Courtesy:
1. “Person Holding Three Syringes with Medicine” (CC0) via Pexels.com.
Leave a Reply