DTaP vs Tdap

Tetanus, diphtheria, and pertussis are three of the most fatal maladies mankind has ever experienced. Though these diseases pose a high mortality incidence for susceptible individuals, a preventive method is then utilized through the process of immunization. Immunization is one of the paramount ways to avoid contracting deadly diseases. One type of immunization is used to combat diphtheria, pertussis, and tetanus and is combined in a single shot called a DPT (Diphtheria Pertussis Tetanus) vaccine. DPT vaccines make the body produce antibodies that protect against diphtheria, pertussis, and tetanus. Because of a growing pharmacologic industry today, vaccines have also evolved into different species. Tdap (Adacel) and DTaP (Daptacel) are two of the well-known combination vaccines created against the three fatal diseases. Though both vaccines combat the same group of diseases, some delicate and important differences are then highlighted to avoid confusion.

The primary difference between the two vaccines lies in the age group who are recipients of DTaP and Tdap. DTaP consists of diphtheria and tetanus toxoids. Additionally, it has an acellular pertussis vaccine. It is administered to ages six weeks up to six years, that is, from infants to preschoolers. On the other hand, Tdap is administered to adolescents and adults. Still, Tdap consists of tetanus and diphtheria toxoids with an acellular vaccine of pertussis. Both DTaP and Tdap vaccines contain roughly equal amounts of the tetanus toxoid. However, the DTaP vaccine contains more pertussis antigens and diphtheria toxoids.

Another observable difference to be noted is the number of doses for each type of vaccine. For DTaP, infants follow the schedule of the four dose series administered at the sixth week of age then followed by the other doses at an interval of two months. The booster dose is given between four and six years of age unless there was a delay in giving the fourth dose. However, Tdap is administered as a one-time shot to adolescents and adults.

Intramuscular injection is the favorable route of administration for both DTaP and Tdap vaccines though the sites only differ in the location. DTaP is administered in the anterolateral aspect of the thigh muscle for the infants and toddlers. Additionally, it also uses the deltoid muscle for older children and unvaccinated adults. On the other hand, Tdap is administered in the deltoid muscle for children ages seven years old and above and adults.

Once given, every vaccine has its counterpart side effects to be watched closely. After a Tdap vaccine injection, common in older children and even adults are signs of local reactions like redness and swelling at the site of injection and systemic reactions such as fever. Sometimes painful inflammation of the affected arm is experienced because of the tetanus antibodies in the blood which are at increased levels. These local and systemic side effects are not very common to the DTaP vaccine.

Every one of us needs protection to fight diphtheria, pertussis, and tetanus, and this is done through DTaP and Tdap immunizations. Knowing the differences between DTaP and Tdap vaccines is essential in avoiding administration errors due to misconceptions.

Summary:

1.DTaP is administered to ages six weeks up to six years, that is, from infants to preschoolers. On the other hand, Tdap is administered to adolescents and adults.

2.DTaP vaccines contain more pertussis antigens and diphtheria toxoids than Tdap vaccines.

3.For DTaP vaccines, infants follow the schedule of a four-dose series administered at the sixth week of age then followed by the other doses at an interval of two months. The booster dose is given between four and six years of age unless there was a delay in giving the fourth dose. However, Tdap is administered as a one-time shot to adolescents and adults.

4.DTaP is administered in the anterolateral aspect of the thigh muscle for the infants and toddlers. On the other hand, Tdap is administered in the deltoid muscle for children ages seven years old and above and adults.

5.Signs of local and systemic reactions are common after Tdap administration while reactions are uncommon after DTaP administration.

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