Vaccine Side Effects & Injury Lawyers
If you or a loved one has been the victim of a vaccine side effect, you should contact a vaccine lawyer with experience in this type of complex litigation.
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The lawyers at the firm offer a Free Confidential Case Evaluation and may be able to obtain financial compensation for you or a loved one by filing a vaccine lawsuit or claim with The National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program. Contact Schmidt & Clark today by using the form below or by calling them directly at .
Articles On Dtap And Tdap Vaccines
DTaP is a vaccine that helps children younger than age 7 develop immunity to three deadly diseases caused by bacteria: diphtheria, tetanus, and whooping cough . Tdap is a booster immunization given at age 11 that offers continued protection from those diseases for adolescents and adults.
Diphtheria is a respiratory disease that can cause breathing problems, paralysis, heart failure, and death. It’s highly contagious and is spread by coughing and sneezing.
Tetanus, or lockjaw, is caused by a bacterium often found in soil. Once it enters the body it releases a toxin that attacks the nervous system, causing muscle spasms and death if left untreated.
Pertussis, also highly contagious, causes coughing spasms so severe that in infants it makes it difficult to eat, drink, or even breathe. It can lead to pneumonia, seizures, brain damage, and death.
Before the vaccines were developed, these diseases were rampant. Vaccines protect the community by preventing the spread of disease from one person to the next, which even offers some protection to the unvaccinated. If people stopped getting vaccinated, the incidence of these three diseases would rapidly rise and thousands would get sick and perhaps even die.
General Principles For Vaccine Scheduling
Optimal response to a vaccine depends on multiple factors, including the type of vaccine, age of the recipient, and immune status of the recipient. Recommendations for the age at which vaccines are administered are influenced by age-specific risks for disease, age-specific risks for complications, age-specific responses to vaccination, and potential interference with the immune response by passively transferred maternal antibodies. Vaccines are generally recommended for members of the youngest age group at risk for experiencing the disease for which vaccine efficacy and safety have been demonstrated.
Tetanus and diphtheria toxoids require booster doses to maintain protective antibody concentrations . Unconjugated polysaccharide vaccines do not induce T-cell memory, and additional doses might increase the duration of protection. Conjugation with a protein carrier improves the effectiveness of polysaccharide vaccines by inducing T-lymphocytedependent immunologic function . Many vaccines that stimulate both cell-mediated immunity and neutralizing antibodies can usually induce prolonged immunity, even if antibody titers decline over time . Subsequent exposure to such viruses usually results in a rapid anamnestic antibody response without viremia.
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Interchangeability Of Combination Vaccines From Different Manufacturers
Licensure of a vaccine by FDA does not necessarily indicate that the vaccine is interchangeable with products from other manufacturers. Such data are ascertained and interpreted more readily for diseases with known correlates of protective immunity . For diseases without such surrogate laboratory markers, prelicensure field vaccine efficacy trials or postlicensure surveillance generally are required to determine protection . ACIP prefers that doses of vaccine in a series come from the same manufacturer however, if this is not possible or if the manufacturer of doses given previously is unknown, providers should administer the vaccine that they have available.
Indicated Tetanus And Diphtheria Booster Vaccination
If a Td booster vaccination is indicated during pregnancy then obstetriciangynecologists and other health care providers should administer the Tdap vaccine during pregnancy within the 2736-weeks-of-gestation window 7. This recommendation is because of the nonurgent nature of this indication and the desire for maternal immunity. It also will maximize antibody transfer to the newborn.
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Immunization : Diphtheria Tetanus Acellular Pertussis Polio And Infant Haemophilus Type B Vaccine
Vaccines are the best way to protect against some very serious infections. The Canadian Paediatric Society and the National Advisory Committee on Immunization strongly recommend routine immunization.
Diphtheria, Tetanus, acellular Pertussis, Polio and Haemophilus influenzae type b is a combined vaccine that protects children against five diseases diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis, polio and serious diseases like meningitis caused by the Hib germ. The abbreviation “aP” stands for “acellular pertussis.” Hib vaccine is also available as a separate shot.
Vaccination against diphtheria, tetanus and polio is required by law for all children attending school in Ontario .
Efficacy Effectiveness And Immunogenicity
Efficacy and effectiveness
Protective antitoxin concentrations occur in virtually all healthy infants and children who receive primary tetanus immunization. Efficacy in standard pre-exposure and post-wound booster immunization regimens in adults has not been assessed in randomized trials but has been demonstrated in observational studies. Cases of tetanus occurring in fully immunized persons whose last dose was within the last 10 years are extremely rare.
Immunogenicity
It has been consistently demonstrated in clinical trials that one month after completion of a three dose primary series at least 99% of vaccinees have protective antibody titre.
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Should Teenagers And Adults Get The Pertussis Vaccine
Pertussis is common in teenagers and adults. Therefore, a vaccine to prevent pertussis in teenagers and adults is of great benefit. However, the old whole cell pertussis vaccine and the “acellular” pertussis vaccine for young children had a high rate of side effects when given to people older than 7 years of age. A newer “acellular” pertussis-containing vaccine is available for older children and adults .
Because adolescents and adults can transmit this disease to infants who are too young to have received their series of the DTaP vaccine, it is imperative that adults around the baby are immune. Parents, grandparents and childcare providers should all have received a dose of Tdap vaccine.
Babies Who Should Not Have The 6
Most babies can have the 6-in-1 vaccine, but there are a few that should not, for example, those who:
- are allergic to the vaccine
- have a high temperature at the time of the vaccination appointment wait until they’ve recovered
- have a neurological problem thats getting worse, including poorly controlled epilepsy wait until theyve been seen by a specialist
The 6-in-1 vaccine should not be given to babies who have had a severe allergic reaction to a previous dose of the vaccine, or a reaction to any part of the vaccine that may be present in trace amounts, such as neomycin, streptomycin or polymixin B.
There’s no need to postpone vaccination if your baby has a minor illness, such as a cough or a cold with no temperature.
If your baby has a history of fits or has had a fit within 72 hours of a previous dose of the vaccine, speak to your GP surgery, nurse or health visitor for advice.
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Risks Of A Vaccine Reaction
- Redness, soreness, swelling, and tenderness where the shot is given are common after DTaP.
- Fever, fussiness, tiredness, poor appetite, and vomiting sometimes happen 1 to 3 days after DTaP vaccination.
- More serious reactions, such as seizures, nonstop crying for 3 hours or more, or high fever after DTaP vaccination happen much less often. Rarely, the vaccine is followed by swelling of the entire arm or leg, especially in older children when they receive their fourth or fifth dose.
- Long-term seizures, coma, lowered consciousness, or permanent brain damage happen extremely rarely after DTaP vaccination.
As with any medicine, there is a very remote chance of a vaccine causing a severe allergic reaction, other serious injury, or death.
Schedule : Prescription Only Medicine
Schedule 4 drugs and poisons, otherwise known as , are substances and preparations for therapeutic use that
- require professional medical, dental, or veterinary management or monitoring
- are for ailments or symptoms that require professional medical, dental, or veterinary diagnosis or management
- may require further evaluation for safety or efficacy
- are new therapeutic substances.
The price of many Schedule 4 substances are subsidized by the through the , when prescribed by an authorized prescriber. Certain medications may require an authority from the . Situations that may require an authority include where the drug may only have benefit in limited conditions, the true cost of the drug is high, or when there is a risk of dependence. Some states have subsets of Schedule 4 with additional requirements . Schedule 4 medicines cannot be advertised directly to the public.
Examples:
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Understanding Live Vaccines And Vaccine Shedding
Vaccines stimulate your body to produce immunity against an infection. Live attenuated vaccines use a significantly weakened form of a virus to do this. The pathogen itself is introduced into the body, but it has been modified so that it can replicate and trigger the immune system, typically without causing illness.
In terms of building immunity against a pathogen, the body’s response is “virtually identical” to what would occur if you were naturally infected, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention .
Live vaccines have saved lives. But there are some who have expressed concerns that live vaccines can trigger viral sheddingthe process by which cells of the body release viral particles and, by doing so, increase the risk of infecting others.
The risk of viral shedding is one of the many reasons why anti-vaccination proponents claim that vaccinations are unsafe.
Despite the theoretical risk of infection from vaccine-induced viral shedding, there remains little evidence that such a phenomenon poses any genuine public health risks.
Cost Of A Tdap Vaccine
The cost of the vaccine is covered under most private insurance plans. Be sure to check with your insurance provider for details. You can also check with your state health departments or local health centers for low-cost or free vaccinations.
Tdap vaccines are also covered under Medicare part D plans. There may be a cost associated with your specific plan, though, so check with your Medicare representative.
depending on your age and vaccination history:
- Ages 11 to 12 years: 1 dose Tdap
- Pregnancy: 1 dose Tdap during each pregnancy, preferably anytime between 27 to 36 weeks
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Pertussis: A Tale Of Two Vaccines
Pertussis, or whooping cough, has been identified since at least the Middle Ages as a disease that affects mostly infants and children, but can also affect teenagers and adults. The symptoms in the early stages of illness are similar to a cold, and then develop into a characteristic cough accompanied with gasping breaths . It is highly infectious early 20th-century statistics claimed an average death rate of 10% in children.
A therapeutic vaccine of uncertain efficacy was developed shortly after the discovery of the causative agent, Bordetella pertussis, in 1906. However, it was not until 1939 that an effective preventive vaccine was designed. Thanks to improved cultivation methods, Pearl Kendrick, Grace Eldering and Loney Gordon developed a highly effective, whole-cell inactivated vaccine . In the late 1940s the pertussis vaccine was combined with diphtheria and tetanus toxoids to become DTP and was widely adopted shortly afterwards.
The whole-cell pertussis vaccine was blamed for causing various intellectual and physical disabilities, including in a TV documentary. This precipitated the formation of Dissatisfied Parents Together, which would eventually become the National Vaccine Information Center, and remains to this day a major source of disinformation about vaccines in the USA.
In the meantime, several countries are experimenting with new vaccination schedules and vaccination of pregnant women, and the search for a better vaccine continues.
Subunit Recombinant Polysaccharide And Conjugate Vaccines
Subunit, recombinant, polysaccharide, and conjugate vaccines use specific pieces of the germlike its protein, sugar, or capsid .
Because these vaccines use only specific pieces of the germ, they give a very strong immune response thats targeted to key parts of the germ. They can also be used on almost everyone who needs them, including people with weakened immune systems and long-term health problems.
One limitation of these vaccines is that you may need booster shots to get ongoing protection against diseases.
These vaccines are used to protect against:
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Unknown Or Incomplete Tetanus Vaccination
To ensure protection against maternal and neonatal tetanus, pregnant women who have never been vaccinated against tetanus should begin the three-vaccination series, containing tetanus and reduced diphtheria toxoids, during pregnancy. The recommended schedule for this vaccine series is at 0 weeks, 4 weeks, and 612 months. The Tdap vaccine should replace one dose of Td, preferably given between 27 weeks and 36 weeks of gestation 7.
When’s My Baby Going To Be Immunised
Your baby will be offered the 4-in-1 vaccine at around 3 years and 4 months. Your local NHS Health Board will contact you to let you know about their arrangements for your baby’s routine childhood immunisations.
Most practices and health centres run special immunisation baby clinics. If you cant get to the clinic, contact the practice or health centre to make another appointment.
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Vaccination Of Adolescents And Adults In Contact With Infants
The Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices recommends that all adolescents and adults who have or who anticipate having close contact with an infant younger than 12 months who previously have not received the Tdap vaccine should receive a single dose of Tdap to protect against pertussis and reduce the likelihood of transmission 7. Ideally, these adolescents and adults should receive the Tdap vaccine at least 2 weeks before they have close contact with the infant 6.
Are There Any Children Who Should Not Get Dtap Vaccine
The CDC recommends that children who are moderately or severely ill at the time they are scheduled to receive the vaccine should wait until they recover before getting it. Minor illnesses like a cold or low-grade fever, however, should not prevent a child from receiving a dose of the vaccine.
If a child has a life-threatening allergic reaction after receiving a dose of the vaccine, that child should not be given another dose.
A child who suffered a brain or nervous system disease within seven days of receiving the vaccine should not be given another dose.
Some children may have a bad reaction to the pertussis vaccine in DTaP and should not take another dose. There is, however, a vaccine called DT that will protect them from diphtheria and tetanus. Talk with your doctor if your child experienced any of the following reactions:
- Had a seizure or collapsed after a dose of DTaP
- Cried nonstop for 3 hours or more after a dose of DTaP
- Had a fever over 105 F after a dose of DTaP
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What If There Is A Serious Problem
An allergic reaction could occur after the child leaves the clinic. If you see signs of a severe allergic reaction , call 9-1-1 and get the child to the nearest hospital.
For other signs that concern you, call your child’s healthcare provider.
Serious reactions should be reported to the Vaccine Adverse Event Reporting System . Your doctor will usually file this report, or you can do it yourself. Visit or call . VAERS is only for reporting reactions, it does not give medical advice.
About Tetanus Diphtheria And Pertussis
These three diseases are all caused by bacteria. Diphtheria and pertussis are spread from person to person. Tetanus bacteria live in soil and dirt the bacteria enter the body through cuts, scratches, or wounds. Tetanus, diphtheria, and pertussis vaccine, a combination vaccine, provides protection against all three. There is a formulation for infants and children and a formulation for adolescents and adults .
Pertussis, also known as whooping cough, is a serious infection that causes coughing spells so severe that it can be hard to breathe. The disease can even lead to cracked ribs, pneumonia, or hospitalization. Protection from the pertussis vaccine that is given in early childhood wears off, so adolescents and adults can get whooping cough. The illness is usually milder in them , but they are common transmitters of the infection to infants, who are at the highest risk of death. In fact, a whooping cough outbreak that occurred in California in 2010 was responsible for the largest number of cases in California in nearly 50 years and the death of 10 infants.
Diphtheria is rare in the US, however, it still exists in other countries and can pose a serious threat to anyone not fully immunized who travels abroad or who has contact with infected individuals who come to the US. Diphtheria causes a thick covering in the back of the throat. It can lead to breathing problems, paralysis, heart failure, and even death.
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Risk Of Pertussis By Age
Infants who are too young to be fully immunised have the highest risk of infection and severe illness.67 A high proportion of hospitalisations, and almost all deaths, from pertussis occur in this group.15,68
In highly immunised communities, pertussis can occur in adults and adolescents as a result of waning immunity.64,69 These people are a significant reservoir of infection. Household contacts and carers are often the source of infection in infants. Parents are the source in more than 50% of cases.29 Siblings are also a significant source of infant infections.4,5 Young infants can also acquire the disease from healthcare workers.23-26
In contrast to previous epidemics, during the 200811 epidemic period in Australia, notification rates were highest in children < 15 years of age. The proportion of notifications in older adolescents and adults was lower during this epidemic than in other epidemics. Pertussis notifications were notably higher for children between 3 and 9 years of age.65,66 More accessible and sensitive diagnosis with nucleic acid testing contributed to the rise in notified cases.70 Waning of immunity induced by pertussis-containing vaccine was also a factor .3,7,8,71 Although notification rates were higher in this epidemic, hospitalisation and death rates from pertussis were not substantially higher.72
People aged 65 years have higher rates of hospitalisation from pertussis than younger adults.65