The Dangers of DTaP – What You Need To Know
Have you been injured by the commonly administered DTaP or Tdap vaccine? Perhaps a loved one had severe side effects after receiving the shot, and as a result suffered prolonged pain or illness. If you are wondering what assistance might be available, you’ve come to the right place. The DTaP vaccine lawyers at Ward Black Law have everything you need to know about your rights to a lawsuit, as well as compensation for medical bills, pain and suffering and lost wages. Read on to learn more about the dangers of the DTaP vaccine:
Vaccine Overview
The DTaP vaccine is given to children, usually before they reach the age of seven. As recipients grow and mature, they will receive a booster – commonly referred to as the Tdap vaccine. This second immunization helps offer continued protection as patients move into their teenage and adult years. Both the DTaP and the Tdap vaccine serve to prevent the following bacterial diseases:
- Diphtheria: Diphtheria is a bacterial infection of the nose and throat. It causes a thick, dark covering of the back of the throat, often affecting a victim’s ability to breathe. Common side effects include sore throat, swollen glands, fever and weakness.
- Tetanus: Tetanus is a bacterial disease that affects the nervous system, causing pain and muscle contractions, especially in the jaw and neck. Also known as lockjaw, tetanus can interfere with a person’s ability to breathe.
- Pertussis: Also known as whooping cough, pertussis is a respiratory infection. This highly contagious illness is characterized by a hacking cough, as well as a high-pitched intake of breath.
Who is at Risk?
Children
The DTaP vaccine protects children from the bacteria that cause the three above diseases. They are immunized with an inactive form of the bacterial toxin, allowing the body to create antibodies that provide protection. This is administered between the age of four and six.
Adolescents
The Tdap vaccine is the first booster and includes a reduced dose of the vaccines. Adolescents usually receive this vaccination between the age of eleven and thirteen.
Adults
If you have never received the Tdap vaccine before, many experts will recommend that you get it as an adult. This is especially true for those who work in the fields of health care or child care, or those who will be traveling abroad. Additionally, adults who seek treatment for a cut or burn may be advised to receive a Tdap vaccine to protect them from tetanus. Generally, a booster is recommended every ten years.
DTaP Side Effects
Though it is rare, the DTaP and Tdap vaccines can cause serious, even deadly, side effects. These include:
- Guillain-Barre Syndrome
- Allergic reaction – Anaphylaxis or Anaphylactic Shock
- Encephalopathy/Encephalitis
- Seizures
- Brachial neuritis
- Breathing difficulties
- Coma or lowered consciousness
- High fever
- Severe pain, fatigue or weakness
Vaccine Injury Claims
The Vaccine Injury Compensation Program (VICP) is a no-fault compensation program designed to help those who suffer harm after receiving a vaccination. This was established as part of the National Childhood Vaccine Injury Act of 1986 and allows victims to receive compensation without proving that their vaccination was defective, or that their healthcare provider made an error. Victims (or their attorneys) must only prove a substantial likelihood that the health issue at hand was caused by the vaccination. The VICP also covers the victim’s lawyer fees as long as there is a good faith basis for pursuing a vaccine injury claim. Accordingly, pursuing a vaccine claim is risk-free to the client.
Contact a Vaccine Injury Lawyer in N.C.
The experienced attorneys at Ward Black Law in Greensboro, N.C. have helped many vaccine injury victims receive compensation. If you know someone who is suffering from a vaccine injury, contact us today. In most cases, a petition must be filed less than three years after the date of the onset of your symptoms, so act as quickly as possible.
Ward Black Law’s attorneys are fully qualified to process and handle vaccine injury claims. We can answer your questions, provide a free case review and determine the viability of your claim. Call us today at 336-333-2244 or toll-free at 336-502-6208. You may also send us an email or submit an online request.
