Should an 8-Year-Old Receive Daptacel?
No, an 8-year-old should not receive Daptacel (DTaP), as DTaP vaccines are not indicated for children aged 7 years or older. 1, 2
Age-Appropriate Vaccine for 8-Year-Olds
DTaP is contraindicated for persons aged ≥7 years because the higher diphtheria toxoid content is associated with increased adverse reactions in older children and adolescents. 1
For an 8-year-old requiring catch-up vaccination, Td (tetanus-diphtheria) vaccine should be used instead, not DTaP or Tdap. 1, 3
The catch-up series consists of 3 doses of Td: dose 2 administered >4 weeks after dose 1, and dose 3 administered 6-12 months after dose 2. 1, 3
What Happens After Catch-Up Vaccination
Once the child completes the Td catch-up series and reaches age 11-12 years, they should receive Tdap as their adolescent booster dose. 1, 3
This ensures protection against pertussis in addition to tetanus and diphtheria. 3
If DTaP Is Inadvertently Given to an 8-Year-Old
If DTaP is mistakenly administered to an undervaccinated 8-year-old, this dose should count as the Tdap dose of the catch-up series, and the child should still receive an adolescent Tdap dose at age 11-12 years. 1
If DTaP is inadvertently given to a fully vaccinated 8-year-old, an adolescent Tdap dose should still be administered at age 11-12 years. 1
The family should be informed of any inadvertent vaccine administration. 1
Critical Pitfall to Avoid
Providers must carefully review product labels before administration to avoid confusing DTaP (Daptacel) with Td or Tdap when vaccinating children aged 7-10 years, as the packaging may appear similar. 1, 3
Tdap is also not licensed for children aged <10 years, so neither DTaP nor Tdap should be used for routine catch-up vaccination in 8-year-olds. 1, 3