DTaP
Diphtheria, Tetanus & Pertussis (DTaP)
DTaP: 5 doses; first dose from 6 weeks; second dose at least 4 weeks after the first; as few as 4 doses when the final dose is given at age 4 or later (CDC). The Diphtheria, Tetanus & Pertussis vaccine protects against Diphtheria, tetanus, whooping cough (pertussis).
Typically required for school Aluminum-adjuvanted
Key takeaways
- On the routine, on-time schedule, DTaP is a 5-dose series. Because of the CDC's catch-up rules, a later start can complete the series in fewer total doses.
- DTaP can be given on a slower, spaced-out schedule. A later start can even reduce the total number of doses. Minimum ages and intervals still apply, and the planner enforces them automatically.
- The DTaP products listed on this page use an aluminum adjuvant; the amount per brand is listed on this page from FDA package inserts. If you prefer not to give several aluminum-containing vaccines at one visit, the planner can limit them per visit.
- DTaP is required for kindergarten entry in most US states. Check your state's exact list on the requirements-by-state pages.
What changes when DTaP is delayed?
On the routine, started-on-time schedule, DTaP is a 5-dose series. Delaying the start does not always change this, but for several vaccines the CDC's own catch-up rules mean a later start needs fewer total doses. Here is what applies to DTaP:
- DELAY SAVINGS: the 5th dose is NOT needed if the 4th dose is given on/after age 4 AND ≥6 months after dose 3.
- So a delayed schedule completes in 4 doses instead of 5.
- Primary doses (1-3) cannot be skipped — pertussis protection depends on them.
The exact timing depends on your child's age and how you space visits. The spaced-out scheduler applies these rules automatically and shows the minimum doses still needed by your deadline. For a fuller look at timing, risks and catch-up, see the delay guide for DTaP.
What brands and ingredients does the DTaP vaccine have?
The US-licensed products below are listed with their manufacturer, aluminum content, preservative and egg flags, and full ingredient list. Each card links to the official CDC or FDA source. Formulations change — treat these as a starting point, not the final word.
Single-disease brands
Daptacel
Sanofi
Ingredients (4)
- aluminum phosphate
- formaldehyde
- glutaraldehyde
- 2-phenoxyethanol
Infanrix
GSK
Ingredients (4)
- aluminum hydroxide
- formaldehyde
- sodium chloride
- polysorbate 80 (Tween 80)
Combination brands that include this vaccine
Pediarix
GSK · DTaP + HepB + IPV
Ingredients (8)
- aluminum hydroxide
- aluminum phosphate
- formaldehyde
- sodium chloride
- polysorbate 80 (Tween 80)
- neomycin sulfate
- polymyxin B
- yeast protein
Kinrix
GSK · DTaP + IPV
Ingredients (6)
- aluminum hydroxide
- formaldehyde
- sodium chloride
- polysorbate 80 (Tween 80)
- neomycin sulfate
- polymyxin B
Quadracel
Sanofi · DTaP + IPV
Ingredients (8)
- aluminum phosphate
- formaldehyde
- glutaraldehyde
- 2-phenoxyethanol
- polysorbate 80
- neomycin
- polymyxin B sulfate
- bovine serum albumin
Pentacel
Sanofi · DTaP + IPV + Hib
Ingredients (9)
- aluminum phosphate
- formaldehyde
- glutaraldehyde
- 2-phenoxyethanol
- polysorbate 80
- sucrose
- bovine serum albumin
- neomycin
- polymyxin B sulfate
Vaxelis
MSP Vaccine Company (Merck + Sanofi) · DTaP + IPV + Hib + HepB (hexavalent)
Ingredients (10)
- aluminum (from adjuvant salts)
- formaldehyde
- glutaraldehyde
- polysorbate 80
- bovine serum albumin
- neomycin
- streptomycin
- polymyxin B sulfate
- ammonium thiocyanate
- yeast protein
DTaP vaccine FAQs
How many doses of DTaP does my child need?
On the routine, on-time schedule, DTaP is a 5-dose series. Because of the CDC's catch-up rules, a later start can complete the series in fewer total doses.
Can the DTaP vaccine be delayed or spaced out?
Yes. DTaP can be given on a slower, spaced-out schedule. A later start can even reduce the total number of doses. Minimum ages and intervals still apply, and the planner enforces them automatically.
Does the DTaP vaccine contain aluminum?
Yes. The DTaP products listed on this page use an aluminum adjuvant; the amount per brand is listed on this page from FDA package inserts. If you prefer not to give several aluminum-containing vaccines at one visit, the planner can limit them per visit.
Is DTaP required for school?
DTaP is required for kindergarten entry in most US states. Check your state's exact list on the requirements-by-state pages. See requirements by state.
Plan DTaP on a slower schedule
See how many DTaP doses your child would still need and when, on a spaced-out plan that finishes in time for school. Review the result with your child's healthcare practitioner.
Build my plan →Sources
Primary sources only. Links open the publisher's own page.
- CDC Child and Adolescent Immunization Schedule by Age (opens in a new tab)
- CDC Catch-up Immunization Schedule (Table 2) (opens in a new tab)
- CDC Child and Adolescent Schedule Notes (opens in a new tab)
- CDC Vaccine Excipient Summary (Pink Book, Appendix B) (opens in a new tab)
- FDA Vaccines Licensed for Use in the United States (opens in a new tab)
- CDC CDC Vaccine Excipient Summary (Appendix B) (opens in a new tab)
- DailyMed FDA/DailyMed PI — Daptacel (opens in a new tab)
- FDA FDA PI — Infanrix (opens in a new tab)
- FDA FDA PI — Pediarix (opens in a new tab)
- FDA FDA PI — Kinrix (opens in a new tab)
- DailyMed FDA/DailyMed PI — Quadracel (opens in a new tab)
- DailyMed FDA/DailyMed PI — Pentacel (opens in a new tab)
- Merck Merck PI — Vaxelis (opens in a new tab)
- FDA FDA — Vaxelis (opens in a new tab)