Before Receiving This Vaccine

In deciding to use a medicine, the risks of taking the medicine must be weighed against the good it will do. This is a decision you and your doctor will make. For DTP, the following should be considered:

Allergies—Tell your doctor if your child has ever had any unusual or allergic reaction to diphtheria toxoid, tetanus toxoid, pertussis vaccine, or DTP. Also tell your health care professional if your child is allergic to any other substances, such as preservatives.

Pregnancy—Studies on effects in pregnancy have not been done in either humans or animals.

Breast-feeding—DTP has not been reported to cause problems in nursing babies.

Children—Use is not recommended for infants up to 2 months of age.

Adolescents—Use is not recommended for persons older than 7 years of age.

Older adults—Use is not recommended for persons older than 7 years of age.

Other medical problems—The presence of other medical problems may affect the use of DTP. Make sure you tell your doctor if your child has any other medical problems, especially:

• Allergic reaction to a previous dose of DTP or
• Brain disease or
• Fever—Use of DTP may make the condition worse or may increase the chance of side effects