DTaP Vaccine

The DTaP vaccine is actually three vaccines combined into one shot– tetanus, diphtheria and pertussis. The “a” stands for acellular pertussis. DTaP is an updated version of the DTP vaccine.

• Pertussis  (Whooping Cough) is the most commonly reported vaccine-preventable disease in Oregon. In 2004, there were 626 cases reported, many in young children. If you’ve ever seen a child with Whooping Cough, you won’t forget it. The child coughs violently and rapidly, over and over, until the air is gone from her lungs and she is forced to inhale with the loud “whooping” sound that gives the disease its nickname. These severe coughing spells can go on for weeks. The child might turn blue from lack of air, or vomit after a coughing spell. A child with Whooping Cough can have difficulty eating, drinking, or even breathing.
  
  
• Pertussis can cause serious complications. About one child in 10 with Whooping Cough also gets pneumonia, and about 1 in every 50 will have convulsions. In 1 out of every 250 people who get pertussis, the brain is affected. This is called encephalopathy.
  Source: Parents Guide to Childhood Immunizations, Department of Health and Human Services, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, pp. 21,22, 2004.
  

To hear the characteristic pertussis  “whoop” go to www.pertussis.com

Click here for additional information about pertussis disease.

DTaP Regional Initiative

The 4^th DTaP Initiative was established in 2004 by the Oregon Partnership to Immunize Children (OPIC), the Immunization Action Coalition of Washington, the Oregon Department of Human Services Immunization Program and the Washington Department of Health.

Goal of the Initiative:

Increase Oregon and Washington immunization rates by increasing the timely administration of the 4^th dose of the DTaP vaccine.

Message for Parents

• Protect your child against Pertussis by making sure she is up-to-date on her DTaP vaccines
• Children need five DTaP immunizations to be fully protected against diphtheria, tetanus and pertussis.
• The 4^th dose, given between 12 and 18 months is often missed.
• Protect Your Child – Call your health care provider today to schedule your children’s immunization visit. To find an immunization clinic near you, call Oregon SafeNet @ 1-800-723-3638.

Oregon’s Focus on the 4^th DTaP Education Campaign Components 

Articles

• Focus on the 4^th DTaP, CD Summary, August 23, 2005, Vol., 54, No. 17.

• Pertussis Making a Comeback, ORHEALTH Magazine, November 2005, p. 7.

• New public service ads raise awareness about pertussis danger  
  Radio and Television Public Service Announcements in English and Spanish (available to download at end of press release)

• English
• Spanish

• Fact Sheet
• Tip Sheet
• Posters - English   Spanish  

Washington’s Focus on the 4^th DTaP Campaign