Your child will need to get the DTaP vaccine starting at 2 months old. Learn more about what this shot protects against and why it's so important.
What is the DTaP vaccine?
DTaP is a combination vaccine that protects against three diseases: diphtheria (D), tetanus (T) and pertussis (P).[1] All three components of the vaccine are "inactivated" — meaning they are killed and incapable of causing the disease.
There are six DTaP vaccines licensed for use in the United States. Two vaccines protect against diphtheria, tetanus and pertussis only, while four vaccines include protection against other diseases too.
What are diphtheria, tetanus and pertussis, the diseases the vaccine targets?
The DTaP vaccine protects against three diseases: diphtheria, tetanus and pertussis (whooping cough). Here's more about each one.
Diphtheria
Diphtheria is spread through coughing and sneezing. Initial symptoms include sore throat, fever and chills. It can also cause a thick coating to form over the back of the nose or throat, blocking the airways and making breathing difficult.
Diphtheria is rare in the U.S. But if it isn't treated promptly with the proper medication, the infection can cause a toxin to spread throughout the body that can then lead to heart failure, breathing problems or paralysis. About 1 in 10 of those infected — and 1 in 5 children under the age of 5 — will die from diphtheria.
Tetanus
Also called "lockjaw," tetanus is not a contagious disease. Instead, a person typically becomes infected with tetanus if spores of tetanus bacteria found in soil, dirt, dust or manure enter the body through a wound or cut.
Symptoms, which can take up to three weeks to appear, include painful muscle stiffness all over the body, trouble swallowing and seizures. There are about 30 reported cases a year of tetanus in the U.S., and up to 1 out of 5 people who get the disease die from it.
Read This Next
Pertussis (whooping cough)
Pertussis, also known as whooping cough, is a very contagious airborne bacterial infection that can cause violent, rapid coughing and a loud "whooping" sound upon inhalation. Babies may not cough or make this sound — they may gag and gasp.
About half of infants who contract the disease need to be hospitalized, as it can make it very difficult for them to eat, drink and breathe. The younger a baby is when he gets whooping cough, the more likely it is that he'll need to be hospitalized. About 25 percent of infants hospitalized with pertussis will also get pneumonia. Whooping cough is fatal for 1 or 2 out of 100 babies in the U.S.
How many DTaP shots will my child need?
Five doses of DTaP are needed during childhood. The shots are given at 2, 4, 6 and 15 to 18 months of age, followed by another between 4 and 6 years old.[2]
Since protection can fade over time with this particular vaccine, a related booster vaccine called Tdap is recommended for adolescents between 11 and 12 years of age.
The Tdap vaccine provides protection against the same three diseases as DTaP. Vaccination continues into adulthood — Td, which provides protection against tetanus and diphtheria, is recommended for adults every 10 years for life.
If you're planning to get pregnant again, be aware that the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends getting the Tdap vaccine during each pregnancy between weeks 27 and 36, preferably during the earlier part of that time period.
Yes 
No 
Trending On What to Expect
