Common Signs and Symptoms:
The DTaP vaccine protects against three different bacterial illnesses:
- Tetanus (or lockjaw-bacteria) - bacteria live in the soil. Infection can occur after a "dirty" wound. It causes painful muscle spasms all over the body leading to difficulty breathing. It can be fatal.
- Diptheria - an infection that causes a thick covering in the back of the throat. It can lead to breathing problems, paralysis, heart failure and death.
- Pertussis (or whooping cough) - causes coughing spell that can make it hard to eat drink or breathe. It can lead to pneumonia, seizures, brain damage and death especially in infants.
Although the possibility is extremely rare, patients should be aware that any vaccine may cause a shock-like or anaphylactic reaction. For your protection, MinuteClinic recommends the following precautions:
- Remain in the clinic waiting area for 20 minutes after receiving your vaccination.
- Alert the practitioner if you experience any systemic allergic reaction.
All MinuteClinic practitioners are trained to respond to anaphylactic reactions and will see that you receive immediate medical attention.