INFORMATION FOR CONSUMERS
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This leaflet answers some common questions about Diphtheria Vaccine.
It does not contain all the available information.
It does not take the place of talking to your doctor or pharmacist.
All medicines, including vaccines, have risks and benefits. Your doctor has weighed the risks of your child having Diphtheria Vaccine against the benefits they expect it will have.
If you have any concerns about this vaccine, talk to your doctor, nurse or pharmacist.
Keep this leaflet.
You might need to read it again.
Diphtheria Vaccine helps to prevent the disease called diphtheria. Diphtheria is a serious illness which can be life threatening.
Primary Course:
Diphtheria Vaccine is used to vaccinate children, who have not been vaccinated against diphtheria before. This is called the 'primary course'.
Diphtheria Vaccine is given to
A total of three (3) doses is needed for the primary course. The second and third doses are given after an appropriate time interval. (See 'How Diphtheria Vaccine is given' section, later in this leaflet.)
Babies under 2 months should not be given Diphtheria Vaccine.
For children 8 years and older and for adults, there is another suitable diphtheria vaccine. Talk to your doctor or pharmacist if you have any questions about it.
One more (booster) dose of Diphtheria Vaccine is recommended at school entry age (4 to 5 years) or anytime up to 8 years for children who have already had the full primary course of Diphtheria Vaccine.
One (1) dose is needed for the booster dose.
Diphtheria Vaccine works by getting your child's body to produce its own protection against the bacteria (germs) that cause diphtheria.
The vaccine does not contain live germs and cannot give your child the illness.
After your child has Diphtheria Vaccine, your child's body makes substances called antibodies. These antibodies fight the diphtheria germs. When your child comes into contact with the diphtheria germs, your child's body is usually ready to destroy them.
NOTE: Your child's body takes a few weeks after vaccination to develop protection against the diphtheria germs. Your child needs to complete the full primary course of injections to get full protection.
Most children who receive either
will produce enough antibodies to protect against diphtheria disease. However, as with all vaccines, 100% protection cannot be guaranteed.
Do not use Diphtheria Vaccine after the expiry date printed on the pack.
Do not use Diphtheria Vaccine if the packaging is torn, shows signs of tampering or does not look quite right.
If you are not sure whether your child should have Diphtheria Vaccine, talk to your doctor or pharmacist.
Tell your doctor if your child has allergies to:
As for all vaccines, medical supervision and treatment should be available in case there is a severe allergic reaction.
Diphtheria Vaccine is given by a trained health professional, as an injection into muscle.
In babies, it is usually given in the upper thigh. In children it is usually given in the upper arm.
One dose of Diphtheria Vaccine is 0.5 mL.
This is a total of 3 doses, given at intervals. The first dose may be given at the age of 2 months or older. The upper age limit for this vaccine is 8 years.
The interval between doses is shown in the table below.
| Diphtheria Vaccine dose |
TIME INTERVAL after previous dose |
|---|---|
| 1 | Does not apply |
| 2 | 6-12 weeks |
| 3 | 6-12 months |
A booster dose (fourth dose) at school entry age (4 to 5 years) or any time up to 8 years is recommended.
Ask your doctor or pharmacist to answer any questions you may have.
If your child misses a dose of Diphtheria Vaccine, talk to your doctor and arrange another visit as soon as possible.
Keep an updated record of your child's vaccinations.
Keep follow-up appointments with your doctor or clinic.
In order to make sure the vaccine has the best chance of providing protection against diphtheria disease, it is important that:
Tell your doctor or pharmacist as soon as possible if your child is unwell after having Diphtheria Vaccine.
All medicines, including vaccines, can have side effects. Diphtheria Vaccine may have unwanted side effects in some people. Sometimes they are serious, most of the time they are not. You or your child may need medical treatment if you get some of the side effects.
Ask your doctor or pharmacist to answer any questions you may have.
Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you notice any of the following and they worry you:
These are the more common side effects of Diphtheria Vaccine. Mostly these are mild and short-lived.
As with all vaccines given by injection, there is a very small risk of a severe allergic reaction.
If any of the following happen, tell your doctor immediately or go to Accident and Emergency at your nearest hospital:
Mostly this type of side effect occurs within the first few hours of being given the vaccine.
These side effects are rare.
Other side effects not listed above might occur in some people. Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you notice anything that is making your child feel unwell.
Do not be alarmed by this list of possible side effects.
Your child may not experience any of them.
Diphtheria Vaccine is usually stored in the doctor's surgery or clinic, or at the pharmacy. However, if you need to store Diphtheria Vaccine:
Diphtheria Vaccine is supplied as a single dose (0.5 mL) in a glass container. It is a whitish, cloudy liquid.
Active ingredients:
Other ingredients:
Diphtheria Vaccine does NOT contain:
Diphtheria Vaccine is made in Australia by:
CSL Limited ABN 99 051 588 348
45 Poplar Road
Parkville
Victoria 3052
AUSTRALIA
Diphtheria Vaccine is distributed in Australia by:
CSL Limited ABN 99 051 588 348
45 Poplar Road
Parkville
Victoria 3052
AUSTRALIA
Diphtheria Vaccine is distributed in New Zealand by:
CSL (New Zealand) Limited
Level 4, Building 10
666 Great South Road
Central Park, Penrose
Auckland 6
NEW ZEALAND
Australia
AUST R 29205
New Zealand
TT50-3837/1
December 2001