A 5-year-old child who has a history of pertussis infection as an infant is in the clinic for immunizations prior to kindergarten. Which vaccine will be given?

A 5-year-old child who has a history of pertussis infection as an infant is in the clinic for immunizations prior to kindergarten. Which vaccine will be given?

• A. DTaP
• B. DTP
• C. Td
• D. Tdap

Answer: (A)

Preschool boosters use the DTaP vaccine, which combines diphtheria, tetanus, and acellular pertussis for young children. At age 5, the recommended immunization before starting kindergarten is the DTaP booster to maintain protection, especially against pertussis, since immunity from infection can wane over time and natural immunity isn’t reliably long-lasting. The acellular pertussis component in DTaP provides targeted protection with fewer side effects than older whole-cell formulations. The other vaccines listed lack pertussis or are intended for older ages: Td is just diphtheria and tetanus boosters without pertussis, and Tdap is given later in childhood or adolescence. Therefore, the vaccine given now is DTaP.

Preschool boosters use the DTaP vaccine, which combines diphtheria, tetanus, and acellular pertussis for young children. At age 5, the recommended immunization before starting kindergarten is the DTaP booster to maintain protection, especially against pertussis, since immunity from infection can wane over time and natural immunity isn’t reliably long-lasting. The acellular pertussis component in DTaP provides targeted protection with fewer side effects than older whole-cell formulations. The other vaccines listed lack pertussis or are intended for older ages: Td is just diphtheria and tetanus boosters without pertussis, and Tdap is given later in childhood or adolescence. Therefore, the vaccine given now is DTaP.