Safety of the DTaP/IPV Vaccine

Safety is a valid concern of all parents looking to provide their child with any kind of treatment, be it a vaccine or any other kind of medical product. In this article we look at the safety profile of the pre-school booster offered to children at about 3 years and 4 months of age, the DTaP/IPV jab.

Like all other vaccinations, DTaP/IPV has been carefully evaluated for its safety prior to and after its release into popular use. You should rest assured that the injection is constantly monitored for any signs of adverse reactions and the like. All reactions are reported to the Yellow Card Scheme, which aims to provide a framework for the regular assessment of all medical products.

DTaP/IPV would not be used by the NHS as part of a routine immunisation schedule if it was not known to be both safe and effective.

What are the side effects of DTaP/IPV?

DTaP has proven to cause few side effects, and these are known to resolve quickly without further complications. Fewer than 10% of recipients are thought to demonstrate any side effects, and these usually present within 2 days of the vaccine being given.

The most common reactions are a mild fever, more crying than usual, irritability, a loss of appetite, and restlessness. Soreness and swelling where the injection was delivered are also common.

Less common but still fairly routine reactions to the injection include vomiting and diarrhoea. Anywhere between 1-10% of children receiving this vaccine will show these signs, however if you are concerned about these side effects then you should speak to your doctor.

A very small number of children can experience a rash or swelling of their glands after the injection. An even smaller number can experience fits after receiving this vaccine. As with any and all vaccination, there is a small risk of a strong allergic reaction.

Severe allergic reactions (anaphylaxis) will usually happen as soon as the vaccine has been delivered, and both your doctor and practice nurse will be prepared to deal with such an event. If your child shows any signs of convulsing then you should speak to your doctor.

Again DTaP/IPV is widely used by the NHS because of its established safety profile. The vaccine’s benefits far outweigh its risks as it protects against four extremely contagious and extremely dangerous diseases.

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