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\nDiphtheria (dif-THEER-ee-a) used to be a common cause of both illness and death for children in the United States. In the 1920s, the United States used to see as many as 200,000 cases a year. Thanks to diphtheria vaccines, that number has dropped by 99.9%.
\nThere are 4 vaccines that include protection against diphtheria:
\nDiphtheria is now rare in the United States, but people still get the disease. And there have been large outbreaks in countries where vaccination rates have gone down.
\nDiphtheria can cause serious complications, like paralysis (not being able to move), pneumonia (lung infection), and lung failure. It can also be deadly, especially for certain age groups \u2014 up to 1 in 5 young children and older adults who get the disease will die from it.
\nGetting vaccinated is the best way to prevent diphtheria. And when enough people get vaccinated against diphtheria, the entire community is less likely to get it. So when you and your family get vaccinated, you help keep yourselves and your community healthy.
\nLearn more about how vaccines help protect your whole community.
\nDiphtheria is caused by a type of bacteria. It creates a thick coating of dead tissue in the throat or nose, which makes it hard to breathe and swallow. Other symptoms include:
\nSerious cases of diphtheria can damage the heart, kidney, and nerves.
\nDiphtheria spreads from person to person when:
\nEveryone needs diphtheria vaccines throughout their lives. That means everyone needs to get vaccinated as babies, children, and adults.
\nYoung children need the DTaP vaccine as part of their routine vaccine schedule. Young children need a dose of the vaccine at:
\nIf your child has had a serious reaction to the whooping cough part of the DTaP vaccine, they may be able to get the DT vaccine instead. Your child\u2019s doctor can recommend the vaccine that\u2019s right for your child.
\nSee the routine vaccination schedule for:
\nOlder children need 1 booster shot of the Tdap vaccine at age 11 or 12 as part of their routine vaccine schedule.
\nIf your child misses the booster shot, talk with your child\u2019s doctor about catching up.
\nAdults need 1 booster shot of the Td vaccine every 10 years as part of their routine vaccine schedule.
\nIf you missed the Tdap booster as a teen, you\u2019ll need to get a Tdap booster instead to make sure you have protection from whooping cough.
\nPregnant women need 1 booster shot of the Tdap vaccine during the third trimester of each pregnancy.
\nTalk with your doctor about how to protect your family from diphtheria.
\nYou should not get a diphtheria vaccine if you:
\nBe sure to tell your doctor before getting vaccinated if you:
\nIf you\u2019re sick, you may need to wait until you\u2019re feeling better to get a diphtheria vaccine.
\nSide effects are usually mild and go away in a few days. They may include:
\nIt\u2019s very rare, but the DTaP vaccine can also cause the following symptoms in children:
\nLike any medicine, there's a very small chance that diphtheria vaccines could cause a serious reaction. Keep in mind that getting a diphtheria vaccine is much safer than getting diphtheria. Learn more about vaccine side effects.
\nVaccine Information Statements (VISs) have detailed information about recommended vaccines. Read the VISs for vaccines that protect against diphtheria:
\nLast reviewed: January 2018
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