diphtheria
Did you know?
About 1 in 10 people who get diphtheria will die.
About the vaccine
The diphtheria vaccine is combined with other vaccines, so a person can receive protection from several diseases with one shot. There are several vaccine combinations recommended for children and adults at different ages.
Vaccines are very safe. It is much safer to get the vaccine than to get diphtheria. Please contact your local public health nurse or doctor to make an appointment.
For more information about the vaccine, who should get it, the benefits and possible reactions, go to our BC HealthFiles:
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DTaP-HB-IPV-Hib (105) (Diphtheria, Tetanus, Pertussis, Hepatitis B, Polio and Haemophilus influenzae type b). Three doses are given to children under the age of 7 years, usually at 2, 4 and 6 months of age.
DTaP-IPV-Hib (15b) (Diphtheria, Tetanus, Pertussis, Polio, Haemophilus influenzae Type b) A single dose is given as a booster to children at 18 months of age after completing a three dose primary series of DTaP-HB-IPV-Hib.
Some children may receive DTaP-IPV-Hib as a three dose primary series at 2, 4 and 6 months followed by a booster dose at 18 months. |
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DTaP-IPV (15a) (Diphtheria, Tetanus, Pertussis, Polio) One dose for children 4 to 6 years of age. Given as children start school.
Tdap (18c) (Tetanus, Diphtheria, Pertussis) Given as a single booster dose to grade 9 students to stengthen their immune system after they have already been immunized earlier in life. |
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Td (18a) (Tetanus, Diphtheria) Booster dose recommended for adults every 10 years if they have been immunized earlier in life. |
About the disease
- Diphtheria is a serious infection of the nose and throat.
- About 1 in 10 people who get diphtheria will die.
- The germ (bacteria) is spread through the air by people sneezing or coughing and by direct skin-to-skin contact.
- The disease can result in very severe breathing problems, heart failure and paralysis
- There is less diphtheria disease in BC because of routine childhood vaccination programs
- More vaccine preventable disease images.
Photos courtesy of Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
