3a.15 When is the DTP vaccine contraindicated?
Description
This article is from the Childhood Vaccinations FAQ, by Lynn Gazis-Sax lynng@alsirat.com with numerous contributions by others.
3a.15 When is the DTP vaccine contraindicated?
Hypersensitivity to a vaccine component, including thimerosal, a
mercury derivative. Defer vaccination in case of fever or acute
infection (but not nececcarily for a mild cold without a fever). A
history of convulsions is generally a contraindication to pertussis
vaccination, but "The ACIP and AAP recognize certain circumstances in
which children with stable central nervous system disorders, including
well-controlled seizures or satisfactorily explained single seizures,
may receive pertussis vaccine. The ACIP and AAP do not consider a
family history of seizures to be a contraindication to pertussis
vaccine." (PDR)
The following reactions to a previous dose are contraindications: An
immediate anapylactic reaction. Encephalopathy occuring within 7 days
following DTP vaccination. Precautions include a fever of >> 40.5 C
(105 F) within 48 hours, collapse of shocklike state within 48 hours,
persistent inconsolable crying for more than 3 hours within 48 hours,
convulsions with or without fever within 3 days. (These latter are
precautions rather than contraindications, because there might be
circumstances, such as a pertussis epidemic, where you would still
want to give the vaccine.)
Pertussis vaccine should not be given to anyone over seven years old
(this may change, in time, with the new acellular vaccine, but further
study is needed first).
Vaccine components capable of causing adverse reactions: for
diptheria, thimerosal and toxoid; for tetanus, thimerosal and toxoid;
for pertussis, bacterial components (Travel Medicine Advisor).
(Note: There is currently, as of 1999, a move toward replacing
thimerosal in vaccines, so the reference to thimerosal here may
shortly be out of date.)
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