The full form of the DTaP vaccine is Diphtheria, Tetanus, and Pertussis vaccine. It is a combination vaccine that protects against three serious diseases:
- Diphtheria: A bacterial infection that affects the mucous membranes of the throat and nose.
- Tetanus: A bacterial infection that affects the nervous system and causes muscle stiffness and spasms.
- Pertussis: Also known as whooping cough, it is a highly contagious respiratory disease caused by the bacterium Bordetella pertussis.
DTaP is typically given to children in a series of doses during early childhood.