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DTP Vaccine

The three-in-one vaccine protects children against diphtheria, tetanus and polio.

The DTP vaccine is also known as the teenage booster or the three-in-one vaccine, administered as a single injection in the muscle of the upper arm to boost protection against tetanus, diphtheria and polio. It forms part of the UK’s national immunisation programme and is available for all young people aged 14 years old, typically offered at secondary school at the same time as the MenACWY vaccine (which is administered to prevent meningitis and septicaemia).

What Is Diphtheria?

Diphtheria is a very contagious infection that affects the nose and throat (as well as the skin occasionally). It’s rare in the UK thanks to the national vaccination programme but there is a small risk that you could contract it if you travel to some parts of the world, such as India, Indonesia, South America and Africa. The infection is spread through coughs and sneezes, or by having close contact with someone who is infected. It is also possible to contract an infection by sharing items like bedding, clothing, cutlery and crockery with someone who is already infected. It can be a very serious illness and can even be fatal, particularly in children, if it isn’t treated quickly. The best way to go about preventing contraction while travelling is to be fully vaccinated against it and you may need a booster if your vaccinations were more than ten years before your trip. The main symptoms of diphtheria include:

A thick grey-white coating covering the tongue, nose and the back of the throat
A sore throat
A high temperature
Swollen neck glands
Difficulty breathing
Difficulty swallowing

The main treatments for diphtheria include:

Antibiotics
Medication to stop the toxins produced by the bacteria
Thorough cleaning of infected wounds if the bacteria is affecting your skin

What Is Tetanus?

Tetanus is a serious and life-threatening condition that’s caused by the Clostridium tetani bacterium. Spores of this bacteria can be found everywhere in the environment, including dust, soil and manure and these spores can develop when they enter the human body via a wound, such as a burn, scratch or bite. Tetanus is rare in the UK because the vaccine has been part of the routine vaccine schedule since the 1960s. However, your chances of contracting the disease are higher if you haven’t been fully vaccinated, if you have a deep or large wound, or if your wound is very dirty or has something stuck in it. The main symptoms of tetanus include:

A stiff jaw (also known as lockjaw), which can make it difficult to open your mouth
Muscle spasms
Difficulty breathing
Difficulty swallowing
Sweating
High temperature
Fast heartbeat
Seizures

Treatments for tetanus include cleaning the wound, an injection containing tetanus immunoglobulin and antibiotics. If you haven’t been fully vaccinated or if you’re unsure of your vaccination history, you may need a booster. It can take weeks and sometimes even months to completely recover from tetanus, which is why it’s important to ensure that your vaccinations are fully up to date. The best way to avoid contracting tetanus is to ensure that you’re fully vaccinated against it.

What Is Polio?

Polio is a serious infection that is now only found in a few countries around the world but cases are rare in the UK because of the nation’s vaccination programme. For example, there have been no confirmed cases of paralysis as a result of polio in the UK since 1984. Also known as poliomyelitis, the disease is a life-threatening one, caused by the poliovirus, which spreads from person to person and can infect the spinal cord, causing paralysis. The best way to prevent polio is to ensure that you’re fully up to date with your vaccinations and the polio vaccine is offered as part of the routine childhood vaccination schedule. All five vaccinations must be administered in order to enjoy full vaccination against the disease. The main symptoms of polio include:

A high temperature
Fatigue
Headaches
Vomiting
A stiff neck
Muscle pain

Note, however, that the majority of people who catch polio won’t experience any symptoms. In rare cases, the disease can lead to more serious symptoms that can affect the brain and nerves, causing paralysis and muscle weakness, typically in the legs. This can happen over hours or days. If paralysis affects the muscles you use to breath, the disease can be life-threatening. The majority of people will recover and physical capabilities will slowly return over a period of weeks. Some may experience permanent disabilities, however.

Book a consultation today

At Enimed Group, our pharmacies provide a range of different vaccinations, including the DTP vaccine. Our experienced and professional pharmacists can administer the appropriate treatments to both children (over the age of nine months) and adults alike, as well as providing a walk-in clinic, online repeat prescriptions, a travel vaccination clinic and other such in-store pharmacy services.

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