Immunization-Schedule.com

DTaP (diphtheria and tetanus toxoids and acellular pertussis vaccine) is for children 6 weeks through 6 years of age. The vaccination course consists of of 4 doses at 2,4,6, and 15–18 months of age. The first, second, and third doses of DTaP should be separated by a minimum of 4 weeks. The fourth dose should follow the third dose by no less than 6 months, and should not be administered before 12 months of age.

Even if the recommended immunization schedule is not followed for the diphtheria vaccine, one should get the remaining vaccines. The delay or interruption in the schedule does not reduce the response to the vaccine when the series is finally completed. There is no need to restart a series regardless of the time elapsed between doses.

Diphtheria disease might not confer immunity. Persons recovering from diphtheria should begin or complete active immunization with diphtheria toxoid during convalescence.