IMMUNIZATION – YOUR BEST PROTECTION

Vaccines are the best way to protect against some very serious diseases.  Protect against these four diseases: tetanus, diphtheria, pertussis and polio with this vaccine.

In Ontario, this vaccine is publicly funded for:

• Children between 4-6 years of age (routine schedule), however is approved in infants and children 2 months to prior to the 7^th birthday

What is tetanus?

• Also referred to as lockjaw, tetanus disease is caused by a toxin that can be found in dirt and dust
• When the tetanus toxin enters the body through a puncture, the poison affects normal control of nerve reflexes in the spinal cord
• Even with early treatment, tetanus can kill 2 out of every 10 people who get it

What is diphtheria?

• A disease of the nose, throat and skin caused by a bacteria
• Causes breathing problems, heart failure and nerve damage
• Kills 1 out of every 10 people who get the disease

What is pertussis?

• Also known as whooping cough causing coughing spells that lead to vomiting
• Cough can last for weeks and cause breathing problems, pneumonia, brain damage and death
• Death due to brain damage and pneumonia occur in approximately 1 in 400 infants

What is polio?

• A virus that can cause nerve damage and paralyzes in approximately 1 in every 100 people who fall ill
• Death can occur from polio, however disease has decreased dramatically due to the success of immunizations

How safe is this vaccine?

Vaccines are among the safest of modern medicine. The only individuals who should NOT receive this vaccine are those who:

• are ill with a fever or infection
• have had a severe allergic reaction (called anaphylaxis) to a past dose of this vaccine or its components (polymyxin B, neomycin, latex)
• Individuals 7 years of age and older

What are the side effects that I should watch for following vaccination?

Serious side effects from the vaccine are very rare (1:1,000,000). Most children have no problems following vaccination. Possible side effects include:

• redness and soreness where the needle was given
• loss of appetite, tiredness, fever, fussiness or crying for a day or two
• febrile seizures as a result of prior fever, not of the vaccine
• allergic reactions (ie. hives, swelling and difficulty breathing) occur very rarely. If these symptoms occur, seek medical attention immediately

Call your doctor if you develop any symptoms that are severe or last more than a few days.  Please note that serious side effects are very unlikely to occur and the benefits of the vaccine are much greater than the risks.

For more information on this vaccine, contact one of the numbers below and ask to speak to a Nurse in the Vaccine Preventable Diseases Program.