Diphtheria tetanus pertussis hep B polio and Hib vaccine - for children

Diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis (whooping cough), hepatitis B, polio and haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib) are diseases that can cause serious illness or death. All these diseases can be prevented if your child is fully immunised. Children can receive a combined vaccine.

Tetanus is caused by bacteria that live in soil, dust and manure. Tetanus causes infection when it enters the body through a break in the skin.

Diphtheria and whooping cough are spread through the coughs and sneezes of an infected person. Around 10 per cent of people exposed to diphtheria die from the disease.

Polio can be caught from the faeces of an infected person which can contaminate food, water or hands. Polio is fatal in between 2 per cent and 5 per cent of cases, and causes permanent paralysis in about 50 per cent of cases.

Hepatitis B virus is spread through exposure of broken skin or mucous membranes to the blood or other body fluids of an infected person. It can also be transmitted from mother to child at birth or shortly after.

Hib was once the most common cause of life threatening infection in children under five. Despite its name, Hib is not a form of influenza (flu). Children under five should receive several doses to protect them from Hib.

Tetanus can be fatal
A break in the skin as small as a pinprick can allow tetanus to enter the body and cause infection. Tetanus attacks the nervous system leading to:

• Muscle spasms which begin in the jaw and neck
• Breathing difficulties
• Painful convulsions
• Abnormal heart rhythms.

• Difficulty swallowing and breathing – caused by a membrane that grows in the throat as a result of the diphtheria infection. This can lead to suffocation.
• Paralysis and heart failure – when a poison produced by the bacteria spreads around the body.

• Coughing spasms – your child will gasp for breath between coughs.
• Vomiting after a coughing spasm.

• Haemorrhage
• Convulsions and coma
• Pneumonia (long term lung damage is possible)
• Inflammation of the brain
• Permanent brain damage.

• Fever, vomiting and muscle stiffness
• Permanent paralysis
• Death in up to 5 per cent of cases.

• Two, four and six months old
• Four years old (diphtheria, tetanus, whooping cough and polio)
• In Year 10 of secondary school, when adolescents receive a combined diphtheria, tetanus and whooping cough vaccine.

• A mild temperature
• Irritability or crying. Your child may appear generally unsettled
• Drowsiness or tiredness
• Soreness and swelling in the area where the injection was given.

• Drinking extra fluids.
• Not overdressing your child.
• Placing a cold, wet cloth over the sore injection spot.
• Giving your child paracetamol (such as Panadol) – check the recommended dose for their age.

• Is unwell on the day of immunisation (temperature over 38.5C)
• Has ever had a serious reaction to any vaccine or if they have allergies.

• Your doctor
• Your local council immunisation service
• Department of Human Services – Immunisation Program Tel. 1300 882 008.

• Diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis (whooping cough), hepatitis B, polio and haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib) can lead to death.
• Serious side effects to immunisation are very rare.
• Several injections must be given to properly immunise your child.