diphtheria toxoid
Quick Summary
Diphtheria toxoid is a weakened form of the diphtheria toxin that is used in vaccines to prevent the disease. In diphtheria, bacteria produce a toxin that causes illness. By treating this toxin with chemicals or heat, it becomes a harmless toxoid that can stimulate the body to produce antibodies.1
These antibodies can then neutralize the active toxin if a person is exposed to the actual diphtheria bacteria, thus providing immunity. Diphtheria toxoid is commonly produced by incubating the toxin with formaldehyde. It is often administered in combination with tetanus toxoid and pertussis vaccine (DTaP) or with tetanus toxoid alone (DT or Td). The introduction of diphtheria toxoid has significantly reduced the incidence of the disease worldwide.123
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The diphtheria toxoid is usually first given in several successive doses during the first few months of life, with booster doses within one or two years and again at five or six years of age. Modern diphtheria vaccination is part of routine childhood immunization schedules, often…
Read MoreThe diphtheria toxoid is usually first given in several successive doses during the first few months of life, with booster doses within one or two years and again at five or six years of age. Modern diphtheria vaccination is part of routine childhood immunization schedules, often…
Read More 
infectious diseaseDiphtheria toxoidThe introduction of diphtheria toxoid in the early 20th century led to a dramatic reduction in the incidence of the disease in many parts of the world. Primary prevention programs consisting of communitywide routine immunization of infants and children have largely eliminated the…
Read MoreThe introduction of diphtheria toxoid in the early 20th century led to a dramatic reduction in the incidence of the disease in many parts of the world. Primary prevention programs consisting of communitywide routine immunization of infants and children have largely eliminated the…
Read More