Diphtheria, Tetanus, Pertussis, Hepatitis B, Hib Vaccine

Generic Name: Diphtheria, Tetanus, Pertussis, Hepatitis B, Hib Vaccine

Brand Names:

Availability: Available with Prescription

Drug Class: Vaccines, immunoglobulins and antisera

Indications

  • Prevention of tetanus, diphtheria, pertussis, hepatitis B and severe Haemophilus influenzae type B infections in children from 6 weeks to 7 years of age (primary vaccination)

Composition, forms, route of administration

  • Pentavalent vaccine combining tetanus toxoid, diphtheria toxoid, whole-cell pertussis toxoid, recombinant adsorbed hepatitis B vaccine and Haemophilus influenzae type B polysaccharide 
  • Suspension for injection in multidose vial, for IM injection into the anterolateral part of the thigh in children < 2 years and into the deltoid muscle in children≥ 2 years. DO NOT ADMINISTER INTO THE GLUTEAL MUSCLE.

Dosage and vaccination schedule

  • Neonate: 3 doses 4 weeks apart, preferably before the age of 6 months. It is recommended to administer the 1stdose at 6 weeks of age, the 2nddose at 10 weeks of age and the 3rd dose at 14 weeks of age.
  • If a child has not received the 1st dose by the age of 1 year, start vaccination as soon as possible according to the 0-1-6 schedule: 2 doses 4 weeks apart, then a 3rd dose 6 months after the 1st dose

Contra-indications, adverse effects, precautions

  • Do not administer in the event of allergic reactions to a previous dose of vaccine containing these strains.
  • Do not administer at birth to vaccinate against hepatitis B.
  • Vaccination should be postponed in the event of severe acute febrile illness;minor infections are not contra-indications.
  • May cause: mild local reactions (redness, pain at the injection site), fever, pain, malaise, headache, myalgia; rarely: anaphylactic reactions.
  • If administered simultaneously with other vaccines,use different syringes and injection sites.

Remarks

  • Also comes in:
    • a trivalentvaccine (diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis) and tetravalent vaccine(diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis, hepatitis B) used for primary vaccination in children < 7 years;
    • a bivalent Td vaccine containing a reduced dose of diphtheria toxoid (tetanus-diphtheria), used in children ≥ 4 years,adolescents and adults.

Storage

– Between 2 °C and 8 °C. Do not freeze.