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The Diphtheria Vaccine Immunization Schedule
The diphtheria toxoid vaccine is given as part of the pentavalent vaccine. This is given at 6 weeks, 10 weeks and 14 weeks. The injection is given on the left mid-thigh, at the front towards the side of the thigh. The child is held by the mother on the lap while the vaccination is given.
The common side effects of the vaccine are a high temperature, irritability and pain at the injection site.
The pain is controlled with pain medications.
The vaccine is made from the diphtheria toxin and cannot cause disease.
Diphtheria
Diphtheria is caused by the toxin of corynebacterium diphtheria. This bacteria was very common a few years ago and caused a lot of deaths among children. The main symptom was a high temperature, swelling of the nodes around the neck and a thick coating in the mouth and throat. Affected children have difficulty breathing and some may develop infections of the heart muscles. Since vaccinations started, it is very rare to see a child with diphtheria in Ghana.
In Ghana, the diphtheria vaccine is part of the pentavalent vaccine. However, in other countries, it may be part of a bivalent or trivalent vaccine. It is important to know that a 4th dose at 18 months and a 5th dose at 5 years are given elsewhere in the world. Ghana, however, gives three doses of the diphtheria vaccine at this time.
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