Diphtheria vaccination is a vaccination that done for preventdiphtheria, which is an infectious disease that can cause shortness of breath, pneumonia, nerve damage, heart problems, and even death. This disease can affect both children and adults.
Diphtheria vaccination is included in the list of complete basic immunization national programs in Indonesia and is recommended by the Ministry of Health and the Indonesian Pediatrician Association (IDAI).
The diphtheria vaccine is available in combination with other disease vaccines, namely with tetanus and whooping cough (pertussis), or with tetanus alone.
There are five types of diphtheria vaccination available, namely:
- DTP Vaccination
The DTP vaccine is given to children under 7 years of age to prevent diphtheria, tetanus, and pertussis.
- DTaP Vaccination
Benefits are the same as DTP, but the pertussis vaccine is modified so that it is expected to reduce the side effects of the vaccine.
- DT Vaccination
The DT vaccine is given to children under 7 years of age to prevent diphtheria and tetanus.
- Tdap Vaccination
The Tdap vaccine is given to children and adults, ages 11–64 years, to prevent tetanus, diphtheria, and whooping cough.
- Td Vaccination
The Td vaccine is given to adolescents and adults to prevent tetanus and diphtheria. This vaccination should be repeated every 10 years.
IndicationDiphtheria Vaccination
As previously explained, this vaccination is carried out to prevent diphtheria, which is a disease caused by bacterial infection Corynebacterium diphtheria. That way, the risk of a diphtheria outbreak can be reduced. This vaccination needs to be done from infancy to adulthood.
Diphtheria Vaccination Time
The recommended timing of diphtheria vaccinations by the Indonesian Pediatric Association (IDAI) is:
- The first diphtheria vaccination, either DTP or DtaP, is given at 2 months of age or as early as 6 weeks of age. Furthermore, for the DTP vaccine, it is given at the age of 3 months and 4 months. While those who received the DTaP vaccine, the second and third vaccines were given at the age of 4 months and 6 months.
- Dose booster It can be given at 18 months and 5 years.
- Children who have entered the age of 7 years and over will be given a dose booster with the Tdap or Td vaccine. The 6th dose can be given at the age of 10-12 years.
- Dose booster then given at the age of 18 years with the Td vaccine, and repeated every 10 years.
If it is late from the vaccination schedule above, the child needs to get a catch-up vaccination immediately according to the doctor's advice.
Giving diphtheria vaccine is also recommended for people who will travel to areas experiencing diphtheria outbreaks and have not yet received a vaccine booster diphtheria over the last 10 years.
Diphtheria Vaccine Warning
There are several things you need to know before undergoing diphtheria vaccination, namely:
- Tell your doctor if you or your child have an allergy to any component of the vaccine.
- Tell the doctor if you or your child are taking any medicines, herbal products, or vitamins, especially drugs that weaken the immune system, such as cancer drugs, steroid drugs, and radiation therapy.
- Tell your doctor if you have a history of Guillain-Barre syndrome, seizures or other neurological disorders, bleeding disorders, immunodeficiency disorders (decreased immune system), and side effects from previous diphtheria vaccines. If you are sick, your doctor may delay giving the vaccine.
- Have regular check-ups with your doctor to make sure the vaccine is working properly and doesn't cause any side effects. An examination to the doctor also needs to be done to prepare the schedule for the next vaccine.
- For pregnant or lactating women, you should first consult with your obstetrician regarding the vaccine plan to be carried out during pregnancy or breastfeeding. Boosters diphtheria vaccine should be given to pregnant women in the last trimester, or those who have never received the Tdap vaccine or do not know it.
- The Tdap vaccine can be given to pregnant or breastfeeding women to protect the baby from pertussis, but keep in mind the previous schedule for diphtheria, tetanus, and pertussis vaccines.
BeforeDiphtheria Vaccination
The doctor will perform a general physical examination before giving the diphtheria vaccination. To avoid the appearance of allergic reactions after vaccination, doctors can also perform allergy tests first, especially in children who do have a history of allergies.
Procedure Diphtheria Vaccination
The diphtheria vaccination procedure will be done by injection into the muscle. If there are other vaccinations to be given, the doctor will administer the injection at a different location.
Usually, doctors will inject diphtheria vaccine into children in the thigh. For adolescents and adults, the vaccine will be injected in the upper arm.
It is recommended to make sure the vaccination liquid is in good condition, which is white or gray after shaking. Do not use expired vaccines.
After Diphtheria Vaccination
Some people may experience complaints that are felt after vaccination, in the form of dizziness, blurred vision, ringing in the ears, to fainting. Monitoring the condition can be done to prevent or treat fainting.
For children, fever or swelling may occur after the vaccine is given. Therefore, doctors will generally prescribe fever-reducing drugs after vaccination.
Although rare, some vaccination recipients experience severe pain in the shoulder and difficulty moving it. Allergic reactions can occur within minutes or hours after vaccination. Immediately see a doctor if this happens so that it can be treated as soon as possible.
Immunization Pursuit of Diphtheria Vaccination
If the DTP immunization is given late from the schedule recommended by IDAI, there is no need to repeat it from the beginning, but continue according to the schedule. The following is the recommended time for immunization following the diphtheria vaccination according to age:
| Age | Diphtheria vaccination that has been given | Time from last diphtheria vaccination | Next vaccination |
| 4–11 months | Unknown or never (0) | - | Vaccine 1 is given immediately, followed by vaccine 2 after 4 weeks. |
| 1 time | 4 weeks or more | Give vaccine 2 immediately, followed by vaccine 3 after 4 weeks. | |
| 2 times | 4 weeks or more | Give vaccine 3 immediately, followed by vaccine 4 at 18 months of age. | |
| 1-3 years | Unknown or never (0) | - | Give vaccine 1 immediately, followed by vaccine 2 after 4 weeks. |
| 1 time | 4 weeks or more | Give vaccine 2 immediately, followed by vaccine 3 after 4 weeks. | |
| 2 times | 4 weeks or more | Give vaccine 3 immediately, followed by vaccine 4 after at least 6 months. | |
| 3 times | 6 months or more | Give vaccine 4 at the age of 18 months or at least 6 months after the last vaccine (if the child has passed 18 months). Followed by vaccine 5 at the age of 5 years. | |
| 4–6 years | Unknown or never (0) | - | Give vaccine 1 immediately, followed by vaccine 2 after 4 weeks. |
| 1 time | 4 weeks or more | Give vaccine 2 immediately, followed by vaccine 3 after 4 weeks. | |
| 2 times | 4 weeks or more | Give vaccine 3 immediately, followed by vaccine 4 after 6 months. | |
| 3 times | 6 months or more | Give vaccine 4 immediately. | |
| 4 times | Given before the age of 4 years | Give vaccine 5 after 6 months of the previous vaccine. | |
| Given at the age of 4 years or older | Give the vaccine at 11 or 12 years of age. |
For children aged 7–18 years, the catch vaccination that will be given is the Td or Tdap type. The following is a suggested schedule:
| Age | Last diphtheria vaccination | Age at first diphtheria vaccination | Time from last diphtheria vaccination | Next dose |
| 7–18 years | Unknown or never (0) | - | - | Give vaccine 1 immediately, followed by vaccine 2 after 4 weeks. |
| 1 time | Given before the age of 12 months | - | Give vaccine 2 immediately, followed by vaccine 3 after 4 weeks. | |
| Given at the age of 12 months or older | 4 weeks or more | Give vaccine 2 immediately, followed by vaccine 3 (Td) after 6 months. | ||
| 2 times | Given before the age of 12 months | 4 weeks or more | Give vaccine 3 immediately, followed by vaccine 4 after 6 months. | |
| Given at the age of 12 months or older | 6 months or more | Give vaccine 3 immediately, followed by vaccine 4 over 10 years. | ||
| 3 times | Given before the age of 12 months | 6 months or more | Give vaccine 4 immediately, followed by the next vaccine in 10 years. | |
| Given at the age of 12 months or older | - | If vaccine 3 is Tdap, give the next Td vaccine in 10 years. If vaccine 3 is not Tdap, give vaccine 4 (Tdap), followed by the next Td vaccine in 10 years. |
Diphtheria Vaccination Side Effects
Side effects that are usually experienced after receiving the diphtheria vaccine, whether in children, adolescents, or adults, are usually mild and will subside in a matter of days. These side effects include:
- Pain, swelling, or redness at the injection site
- Mild fever and chills
- Headache
- Muscle ache
- Weak
- Nausea and vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Decreased appetite
- Fussiness (in children)
If there is a high fever, the baby cries for more than 3 hours, or a seizure, consult a doctor immediately.