Vaccination

Diptheria - Tetanus - Whopping Cough

Immunization against these diseases can be obtained through the administration of monovalent, bivalent or trivalent vaccines. The trivalent diphtheria, tetanus and pertussis (DTP, dTP, dTp), the bivalent diphtheria and tetanus toxoids (DT and dT), and the tetanus toxoid (Tt) vaccines are commonly used. The DTP vaccines should be administered to children below the age of five and the DT vaccine is recommended for children younger than nine years of age. The Tt and dTp are recommended for people above the age of nine years. The DTP and DT vaccines should not be given to adults or adolescents. For adults and older children that plan to travel to risky areas, a combined tetanus and reduced (1/10) diphtheria (dT) and pertussis (dTp) components should be prescribed.

According to the age and type of vaccine, the primary vaccination series may consist on three or four doses. In children, the first three doses of PDT are given at 6-8 week intervals and the fourth dose given 6-12 months after the third dose (usually at 18 months of age). A fifth dose is usually given five years after the fourth dose. For adolescents and adults, without history of immunization, the first three doses of dT or Tt are usually given within one year period, the second dose 4-8 weeks after the first, and the third 6-12 months after the second dose; boosters should be given every ten years.

Fernando Costa Silva, 1999 (last update: 2009)