Another existential question like:
To be or not to be – Shakespeare
If there are painless vaccines available, why are there painful ones?
For starters, the cost – it is much cheaper to go in for the painful(whole cell DPT) than for the painless (acellular DPT). This has huge cost implications when it is considered part of the National Immunization Schedule and part of the Government program to supply to all citizens free of cost through the public health system.
Then there are some studies that claim that whole cell vaccines are more effective and have a higher efficacy rate than acellular vaccines but there are many other studies that show both to be equally effective.
With the IAP recommending the painful ones, there is also the issue of non-availability of the painless vaccines.
So what is the answer?
If you can afford the higher cost of the painless variety, and if it is available, go for it.
For more details about the DPT vaccine click here
Related reading: Oral or injectable polio vaccine?