Updates to copy, information, sourcing, headlines, and formatting, and new medical review.
The DTaP vaccine protects little ones from three serious diseases that can be especially harmful to babies.
Your child will get the first in this series of shots starting at 2 months old.
What is the DTaP vaccine?
There are 11 DTaP vaccines licensed for use in the United States.
What are diphtheria, tetanus, and pertussis?
The DTaP vaccine protects against three diseases: diphtheria, tetanus, and pertussis (whooping cough).
Here’s more about each one.
Diphtheria
Diphtheria isan illness thats resulting from a bacteria-produced toxin.
Itsspread through coughing and sneezing.
Initial symptoms include sore throat, fever, and chills.
About 25% of infants hospitalized with pertussis will also get pneumonia.
How many DTaP shots will my child need?
Five doses of DTaP are needed during childhood.
The Tdap vaccine provides protection against the same three diseases as DTaP.
And some experts recommend Tdap every 10 years, says Dr. Posner.
