what is dtap

DTaP stands for Diphtheria, Tetanus, and Pertussis, and it is a vaccine that helps prevent these three serious diseases. Diphtheria is a serious infection of the throat that can cause breathing difficulties, tetanus is a nerve disease that can occur when bacteria contaminate a wound, and pertussis, also known as whooping cough, is a respiratory illness that can lead to severe coughing and other complications, especially in babies and young children. The DTaP vaccine is typically administered to children younger than 7 years old in a series of five doses, with booster shots recommended for preteens, teens, and adults to maintain protection. The vaccine is available under different brand names such as DAPTACEL®, Infanrix®, Kinrix®, Pediarix®, Pentacel®, Quadracel®, and Vaxelis™ . Additionally, there is a similar vaccine called Tdap, which is recommended for older children and adults.