Basic immunization

Basic immunization is usually carried out in childhood. The vaccination is carried out with four consecutive doses of the vaccine. The first dose of the vaccine can be administered after the completed 2nd month of life.

The second and third doses of the vaccine can be administered after the third and fourth month of life. The fourth and last vaccination is then administered at the end of the first year of life, usually between the 11th and 14th month of life. The vaccine is injected intramuscularly. The vaccination can be administered in the upper arm muscle (deltoid muscle) or in the thigh muscle.

Refresh

As the immune system degrades the antibodies against the vaccine over time and does not produce new ones, the vaccination should be refreshed regularly. This ensures that the person is prepared for a possible acute infection with the diphtheria bacterium. The first booster is given at the age of five to six years.

A further update should then take place again from around 17 years of age. For adults, the STIKO recommends a refresher every 10 years. Often the booster vaccination against diphtheria is also given together with tetanus and whooping cough (pertussis).

In the vaccination card, which is already issued in infancy, all vaccinations are documented with information about the vaccine administered. Vaccinations should be administered from the time of birth according to the vaccination calendar of the STIKO (permanent vaccination commission of the Robert Koch Institute). This ensures basic immunization against all important pathogens.

According to STIKO, the first booster vaccination is given between the ages of 5 and 6. This is followed by the second booster vaccination at the age of 9-14 years and the last booster vaccination for adolescents at the age of 15-17 years. From the age of 18, the booster against diphtheria should be given every 10 years.

According to STIKO (permanent vaccination commission of the Robert Koch Institute), basic immunization against diphtheria is carried out in four steps between the 2nd and 14th month of life. Afterwards 3 booster vaccinations at the age of 9-17 years are recommended.In adulthood, the diphtheria vaccination should be refreshed every 10 years by the family doctor. A total of 4 vaccinations until basic immunization is obtained and 3 booster vaccinations in childhood.

The booster vaccinations in adulthood are therefore variable. In general, the vaccination is considered to be very well tolerated and often shows no or only slight side reactions. Since the vaccination stimulates the body’s own immune system, redness, swelling and even pain may occasionally occur at the injection site.

Some patients sometimes feel a muscle ache in the upper arm the day after the vaccination, which subsides with time. A few days after the vaccination, other general symptoms may occur. Symptoms such as a slight increase in temperature, chills, tiredness or even gastrointestinal complaints are among these flu-like symptoms.

These symptoms also subside after a few days. More serious side effects do not occur in most cases. Side effects of vaccinations Less than one in every 1000 vaccinations carried out resulted in an allergic skin reaction or problems with the respiratory tract.

In rare individual cases a disease of the nervous system was observed after the vaccination. Symptoms such as paralysis, paralysis, hyperexcitability of the nerves and increasing exhaustion then occurred. Since the diphtheria vaccination is carried out in combination with other vaccines, the reactions to the different combination possibilities can also be different.

Nevertheless, the symptoms are very similar and usually harmless. If unusual and severe symptoms occur, the person concerned should consult a physician to avoid further complications. Physical exertion should at best be avoided after a vaccination in order to allow the body a short rest.

Like all vaccinations, the vaccination against diphtheria can also lead to fever. This is an expression of the immune response to the diphtheria toxin that has been rendered harmless. Besides fever, other vaccination reactions can also occur.

The vaccination reactions after a diphtheria vaccination occur up to 72 hours after the vaccination and disappear again by themselves. The fever can be lowered with calf compresses, sufficient drinking water or medication such as paracetamol or Nurofen©. You can find much more information under our topics:

Reddening at the injection site or
Muscle pain at the injection site (usually described as sore muscles)
Fever after vaccination in adults and
Fever after a vaccination in a baby