Tripedia

Tripedia is a childhood vaccine that is routinely given to children under the age of seven to prevent diphtheria, tetanus, and pertussis. It contains several components, all of which "trick" the body into thinking that it has been exposed to these different infections. The vaccination is typically given as a five-dose series, with the first dose usually started at two months of age.

Tripedia Vaccine Information

What Is Tripedia?

Tripedia^® (DTaP) is a diphtheria, tetanus, and pertussis (whooping cough) vaccine. It is approved for use in infants and children under the age of seven. It is also approved to be mixed together with ActHIB^®, a Haemophilus influenzae type b vaccine (Hib vaccine), for children 15 to 18 months of age.

(Click Tripedia Uses for more information on what the medication is used for, including possible off-label uses.)

Who Makes Tripedia?

Tripedia is made by Sanofi Pasteur, Inc.

Thimerosal Content and Other Concerns

Although Tripedia does not contain preservatives, it does contain a trace amount of thimerosal (a mercury-containing preservative), which is a result of the manufacturing process.

Although for all practical purposes, parents should consider this vaccine to be thimerosal-free, there may be situations in which parents who are particularly concerned about thimerosal exposure may want to use a DTaP vaccine with absolutely no thimerosal such as Daptacel^® or Infanrix^®.

Some parents also are concerned about the aluminum content of vaccines; Tripedia contains aluminum (not more than 0.170 mg per dose).

This vaccine is not made from human fetal components, unlike some vaccines. However, Tripedia is made using bovine (cow) components, which may be a concern for some parents.

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