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Keep track of any and all side effects your child has after receiving this vaccine. When the child receives the next booster dose, you will need to tell the doctor if the first shot caused any side effects. Getting diphtheria, tetanus, or pertussis disease is much riskier than getting DTaP vaccine. However, like any medicine, this vaccine, can cause side effects. The risk of DTaP vaccine causing a serious side effect is extremely small.

Get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

Call your doctor at once if the child has any of the following serious side effects:

loss of consciousness;seizure (black-out or convulsions);high fever, over 105 degrees; ornon-stop crying for 3 hours or more.

Other less serious side effects may be more likely to occur. Talk to your doctor if your child has:

mild fever;redness, pain, tenderness, or swelling where the shot was given;fussiness for 1-3 days after the shot;tiredness or poor appetite for 1-3 days after the shot; or vomiting for 1-3 days after the shot.

Side effects other than those listed here may also occur. Talk to your doctor about any side effect that seems unusual or that is especially bothersome.

To help reduce fever and pain, your doctor may recommend giving the child an aspirin-free pain reliever such as acetaminophen (Tylenol, Tempra, others) or ibuprofen (Motrin, Advil). This may be given at the time of the shot and over the next 24 hours. Your doctor will tell you the correct dose to use. Controlling fever is especially important if the child has a history of seizures.

This vaccine is given as an injection into a muscle. A doctor, nurse, or other healthcare provider will give this injection.

Children should get 5 doses of DTaP vaccine, one dose at each of the following ages: 2 months, 4 months, 6 months, 15 to 18 months, and 4 to 6 years. The series should be completed before the child’s seventh birthday.

Your doctor may recommend reducing fever and pain by giving the child an aspirin-free pain reliever such as acetaminophen (Tylenol, Tempra, others) or ibuprofen (Motrin, Advil, others) when the shot is given and for the next 24 hours. Your healthcare provider can tell you the appropriate dosages of these medications. Controlling fever is especially important for children who have had seizures for any reason, or if a family member has had seizures.

There are no restrictions on food, beverages, or activity before or after receiving DTaP vaccine unless your doctor has told you otherwise.