IMMUNIZATION – YOUR BEST PROTECTION

Also see Q&A for Parents and Caregivers 

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

In Ontario diphtheria, pertussis and tetanus vaccine is publicly funded for:

• adolescents as a 10 year booster since their 4-6 year diphtheria, pertussis, tetanus and polio vaccination
• children 7 years of age and older, who missed their 4-6 year vaccination

It is available for sale to:

• adults who have not received tetanus, diphtheria in the past 10 years and would like a single pertussis booster

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

How is tetanus spread?

An individual becomes infected with tetanus when the tetanus toxin enters the body through a puncture in the skin.

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

How is diphtheria spread?

Spread of diphtheria diseases requires close, direct contact between people (ie. coughing, sneezing). Diphtheria disease can also spread if infected sores come into contact with healthy individuals.

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

How is pertussis spread?

Disease is very contagious and is spread from close, direct contact between people (coughing or sneezing). An individual becomes infected when they breathe the bacteria in through their nose or mouth.

How safe is the tetanus, diphtheria, pertussis 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 any of its components (aluminum)
• are under 4 years of age and over 64 years of age

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 individuals have no problems following vaccination. Possible side effects include:

• redness and soreness where the needle was given
• fever, headache, nausea, diarrhea, vomiting, body ache or muscle weakness, sore or swollen joints, tiredness, chills
• allergic reactions (ie. hives, swelling and difficulty breathing) occur very rarely. If these symptoms occur, seek medical attention immediately.

If you decide to receive this vaccine today, it is required that you wait 2 days before donating blood.

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.