Diphtheria vaccine
| Vaccine description | |
|---|---|
| Target disease | Corynebacterium diphtheriae |
| Type | Toxoid |
| Clinical data | |
| MedlinePlus | a607027 |
| Routes of administration | Intramuscular injection |
| ATC code | J07AF01 (WHO) |
| Identifiers | |
| ChemSpider | none |
  (what is this?) (verify) | |
Diphtheria vaccine is a vaccine used against Corynebacterium diphtheriae, the agent that causes diphtheria.[1] It use has resulted in a more than 90% decrease in number of cases globally between 1980 and 2000.[2] Three initial doses are recommended after which it is about 95% effective.[2] It is effective for about 10 years at which time a booster dose is needed.[2] Immunization may start at six weeks of age with further doses given every four weeks.[2]
The diphtheria vaccine is very safe.[2] Significant side effects are rare.[2] Pain may occur at the injection site.[2] A bump may form at the site of injection that lasts a few weeks.[3] The vaccine is safe in both pregnancy and among those who have a poor immune function.[3]
The diphtheria vaccine is delivered in several combinations.[4] One includes tetanus toxoid (known as dT or DT vaccine) and another comes with the tetanus and pertussis vaccines, known as DPT vaccine.[2] The World Health Organization has recommended its use since 1974.[2] About 84% of the world population is vaccinated.[5] It is given as a intramuscular injection.[2] The vaccine needs to be kept cold but not frozen.[3]
The diphtheria vaccine was developed in 1923.[6] It is on the World Health Organization's List of Essential Medicines, the most important medication needed in a basic health system.[7] The wholesale price in the developing world of a version that contains tetanus toxoid is between 0.12 and 0.99 USD per dose as of 2014.[8] In the United States it is less than 25 USD.[9]
References
- ↑ "MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia: Diphtheria immunization (vaccine)". Archived from the original on March 2, 2009. Retrieved 2009-03-07.
- 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 "Diphtheria vaccine" (PDF). Wkly Epidemiol Rec. 81 (3): 24–32. Jan 20, 2006. PMID 16671240.
- 1 2 3 Atkinson, William (May 2012). Diphtheria Epidemiology and Prevention of Vaccine-Preventable Diseases (12 ed.). Public Health Foundation. pp. 215–230. ISBN 9780983263135.
- ↑ Centre for Disease Control and Prevention. "Diphtheria Vaccination". Department of Health and Human Services. Retrieved 8 November 2011.
- ↑ "Diphtheria". who.int. 3 September 2014. Retrieved 27 March 2015.
- ↑ Macera, Caroline (2012). Introduction to Epidemiology: Distribution and Determinants of Disease. Nelson Education. p. 251. ISBN 9781285687148.
- ↑ "WHO Model List of EssentialMedicines" (PDF). World Health Organization. October 2013. Retrieved 22 April 2014.
- ↑ "Vaccine, Diphtheria-Tetanus". International Drug Price Indicator Guide. Retrieved 6 December 2015.
- ↑ Hamilton, Richart (2015). Tarascon Pocket Pharmacopoeia 2015 Deluxe Lab-Coat Edition. Jones & Bartlett Learning. p. 313. ISBN 9781284057560.