This is given when your child is two, three and four months old. The DT part is also given at age three to five years as a booster. The DTP-Hib vaccine protects against three different diseases - diphtheria, tetanus and pertussis (whooping cough) and against infection by the bacteria called Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib).

Your child will receive a further tetanus and diphtheria booster at age 13 to 18 years.

What is Diptheria?
This disease begins with a sore throat and can progress rapidly to cause problems with breathing. It can damage the heart and the nervous system and in sever cases it can kill. Diphtheria has almost been wiped out in the UK, but it still exists in other parts of the world and it is on the increase in parts of Eastern Europe.

What is Tetanus?
Tetanus germs are found in soil. They enter the body through a cut or burn. Tetanus is a painful disease that affects the muscles and can cause breathing problems. If it is not treated, it can kill.

When do Children Normally have the Vaccine
Most children have the BCG injection when they are between 10 and 14. Your child will have a skin test to see if he or she already has immunity to TB. If not, the immunisation is given. Babies under three months who are having the immunisation don't need to have the skin test.

What is Pertussis?
Whooping cough can be very distressing. In young children it can last for several weeks. Children become exhausted by long bouts of coughing which often cause vomiting and choking. In severe cases pertussis can kill.

What is Hib?
Hib is an infection that can cause a number of serious illnesses including blood poisoning, pneumonia and meningitis. All of these diseases can be dangerous if not treated quickly. The Hib vaccine protects your child against this one specific type of meningitis. The Hib vaccine does not protect against anyt other type of meningitis.

How Effective is the Vaccine?
Before the Hib vaccine became part of the childhood immunisation programme in 1992, over 60 children a year died as a result of Hib infection. And more than twice that number were left with permanent brain damage. Since immunisation began, the number of children with Hib meningitis has dropped by more than 95%.

What are the Side Effects?
It is quite normal for your baby to be miserable within 48 hours of the injection. Some babies develop a fever and sometimes a small lump develops where the injection was given. This lump can last for several weeks. If your child has a worse reaction to the vaccine, for example, some form of fit, your doctor may not give your child any more doses of the vaccine. If this happens, talk to the doctor, nurse or health visitor.

If a baby has a fit in the first 48 hours after being given the DTP-Hib vaccine at two, three or four months, it is no more common than at any other time for young babies. But if you delay the immunisation, it increases the chances of fits after DTP-Hib. So, it's important to make sure your child gets vaccinated on time.