The DTaP/IPV (or dTaP/IPV) vaccine boosts your child's protection against four different diseases:
It is also known as the pre-school booster.
Who should have it
The DTaP/IPV vaccine is recommended for children about three years and four months old (see When it is needed).
Two vaccines are available. One contains higher-strength diphtheria (DTaP/IPV) and the other contains lower-strength diphtheria (dTaP/IPV).
Both vaccines have been shown to provide good booster responses, so it does not matter which one your child is given as their pre-school booster.
These vaccines do not contain thiomersal (mercury).
How effective is this vaccine?
In clinical trials, more than 99% of children who had been given DTaP/IPV developed protection against tetanus, diphtheria, pertussis (whooping cough) and polio when tested four weeks after having the vaccine.
The vaccines protect children from infection until the school-leaving booster.
Safety
Before being granted a licence, the safety, quality and effectiveness of all medicines (including vaccines) are thoroughly tested. However, as with other medicines, vaccines can have side effects in some people.
See DTaP/IPV booster - side effects for more information.
Continue to next section: When the DTaP/IPV booster is offered