Sunday, October 16, 2016

Diphtheria, hepatitis B, pertussis (acellular), polio, and tetanus vaccine


Generic Name: diphtheria, hepatitis B, pertussis (acellular), polio, and tetanus vaccine (dif THEER ee a, hep a TYE tis B, per TUS iss, POE lee oh, and TET a nus)

Brand Names: Pediarix


What is diphtheria, hepatitis B, pertussis acellular, polio, and tetanus vaccine?

Diphtheria, pertussis, and tetanus are serious diseases caused by bacteria.


Diphtheria causes a thick coating in the nose, throat, and airways. It can lead to breathing problems, paralysis, heart failure, or death.


Pertussis (whooping cough) causes coughing so severe that it interferes with eating, drinking, or breathing. These spells can last for weeks and can lead to pneumonia, seizures (convulsions), brain damage, and death.


Tetanus (lockjaw) causes painful tightening of the muscles, usually all over the body. It can lead to "locking" of the jaw so the victim cannot open the mouth or swallow. Tetanus leads to death in about 1 out of 10 cases.


Hepatitis B and polio are serious diseases caused by virus.


Hepatitis B is a disease of the liver that is spread through blood or bodily fluids, sexual contact or sharing IV drug needles with an infected person, or during childbirth when the mother is infected. Hepatitis causes inflammation of the liver, vomiting, and jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes). Hepatitis can lead to liver cancer, cirrhosis, or death.


Polio affects the central nervous system and spinal cord. It can cause muscle weakness and paralysis. Polio is a life-threatening condition because it can paralyze the muscles that help you breathe.


Diphtheria, hepatitis B, pertussis, and polio are spread from person to person. Tetanus enters the body through a cut or wound.


The diphtheria, hepatitis B, pertussis acellular, polio, and tetanus vaccine is used to help prevent these diseases in children who are ages 6 weeks to 6 years old, before the child has reached his or her 7th birthday.


This vaccine works by exposing your child to a small dose of the bacteria or a protein from the bacteria, which causes the body to develop immunity to the disease. This vaccine will not treat an active infection that has already developed in the body.


Like any vaccine, the diphtheria, hepatitis B, pertussis acellular, polio, and tetanus vaccine may not provide protection from disease in every person.


What is the most important information I should know about this vaccine?


The diphtheria, hepatitis B, pertussis, polio, and tetanus vaccine is given in a series of shots. The first shot is usually given when the child is 2 months old. The booster shots are then given at 4 months and 6 months of age. Your child's individual booster schedule may be different from these guidelines. Follow your doctor's instructions or the schedule recommended by the health department of the state you live in.


Be sure your child receives all recommended doses of this vaccine. If your child does not receive the full series of vaccines, he or she may not be fully protected against the disease.


Your child can still receive a vaccine if he or she has a cold or fever. In the case of a more severe illness with a fever or any type of infection, wait until the child gets better before receiving this vaccine.


Your child should not receive a booster vaccine if he or she had a life-threatening allergic reaction after the first shot.

Keep track of any and all side effects your child has after receiving this vaccine. When the child receives a booster dose, you will need to tell the doctor if the previous shots caused any side effects.


Becoming infected with diphtheria, hepatitis B, pertussis, polio, or tetanus is much more dangerous to your child's health than receiving the vaccine to protect against these diseases. Like any medicine, this vaccine can cause side effects, but the risk of serious side effects is extremely low.


What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before receiving this vaccine?


A hepatitis B vaccine will not protect your child against infection with hepatitis A, C, and E, or other viruses that affect the liver. It may also not protect the child from hepatitis B if he or she is already infected with the virus, even if the child does not yet show symptoms.


Your child should not receive this vaccine if the child is allergic to yeast, neomycin, or polymyxin B, or if the child has ever had a life-threatening allergic reaction to any vaccine containing diphtheria, hepatitis B, pertussis, polio, or tetanus.

Your child should also not receive this vaccine if he or she has:



  • severe or uncontrolled epilepsy or other seizure disorder;




  • if the child has received cancer chemotherapy or radiation treatment in the past 3 months.



Your child may not be able to receive this vaccine if he or she has ever received a similar vaccine that caused any of the following:



  • a very high fever (over 104 degrees);




  • a neurologic disorder or disease affecting the brain;




  • excessive crying for 3 hours or longer;




  • fainting or going into shock;




  • Guillain-BarrĂ© syndrome (within 6 weeks after receiving a diphtheria, tetanus, or pertussis vaccine);




  • seizure (convulsions); or




  • a severe skin reaction.



Before receiving this vaccine, tell the doctor if your child has:



  • a bleeding or blood clotting disorder such as hemophilia or easy bruising;




  • a history of seizures;




  • an allergy to latex rubber;




  • a weak immune system caused by disease or by taking certain medicines or receiving cancer treatments;




  • if the child is taking a blood thinner such as warfarin (Coumadin); or




  • if it has been less than 6 weeks since the child last received a vaccine.



Your child can still receive a vaccine if he or she has a cold or fever. In the case of a more severe illness with a fever or any type of infection, wait until the child gets better before receiving this vaccine.


How is this vaccine given?


This vaccine is given as an injection (shot) into a muscle. Your child will receive this injection in a doctor's office or other clinic setting.


The diphtheria, hepatitis B, pertussis, polio, and tetanus vaccine is given in a series of shots. The first shot is usually given when the child is 2 months old. The booster shots are then given at 4 months and 6 months of age. Your child's individual booster schedule may be different from these guidelines. Follow your doctor's instructions or the schedule recommended by the health department of the state you live in.


Your doctor may recommend treating fever and pain with an aspirin-free pain reliever such as acetaminophen (Tylenol) or ibuprofen (Motrin, Advil, and others) when the shot is given and for the next 24 hours. Follow the label directions or your doctor's instructions about how much of this medicine to give your child.


It is especially important to prevent fever from occurring in a child who has a seizure disorder such as epilepsy.

What happens if I miss a dose?


Contact your doctor if you will miss a booster dose or if you get behind schedule. The next dose should be given as soon as possible. There is no need to start over.


Be sure your child receives all recommended doses of this vaccine. If your child does not receive the full series of vaccines, he or she may not be fully protected against the disease.


What happens if I overdose?


An overdose of this vaccine is unlikely to occur.


What should I avoid before or after receiving this vaccine?


There are no restrictions on food, beverages, or activity before or after receiving this vaccine unless your child's doctor has told you otherwise.


This vaccine side effects


Your child should not receive a booster vaccine if he or she had a life-threatening allergic reaction after the first shot. Keep track of any and all side effects your child has after receiving this vaccine. When the child receives a booster dose, you will need to tell the doctor if the previous shots caused any side effects.

Becoming infected with diphtheria, hepatitis B, pertussis, polio, or tetanus is much more dangerous to your child's health than receiving the vaccine to protect against these diseases. Like any medicine, this vaccine can cause side effects, but the risk of serious side effects is extremely low.


Get emergency medical help if your child has any of these signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

Call your doctor at once if the child has any of these serious side effects:



  • extreme drowsiness, fainting;




  • fussiness, irritability, crying for an hour or longer;




  • seizure (black-out or convulsions); or




  • high fever (can occur for up to 4 days after the vaccine).



Less serious side effects include:



  • redness, pain, tenderness, or swelling where the shot was given;




  • mild fever;




  • mild fussiness or crying;




  • joint pain, body aches;




  • loss of appetite; or




  • nausea, vomiting, diarrhea.



This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report vaccine side effects to the US Department of Health and Human Services at 1-800-822-7967.


Diphtheria, hepatitis B, pertussis (acellular), polio, and tetanus vaccine Dosing Information


Usual Pediatric Dose for Poliomyelitis Prophylaxis:

Active immunization against diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis (whooping cough), all known subtypes of hepatitis B virus, and poliomyelitis caused by poliovirus Types 1, 2, and 3:
6 months to 5 years:
3 doses of 0.5 mL, given intramuscularly, at 6- to 8-week intervals (preferably 8 weeks). The customary age for the first dose is 2 months of age, but it may be given starting at 6 weeks of age. The preferred administration site is the anterolateral aspect of the thigh for children younger than 1 year. In older children, the deltoid muscle is usually large enough for an intramuscular injection. The vaccine should not be injected in the gluteal area or areas where there may be a major nerve trunk. Gluteal injections may result in suboptimal hepatitis B immune response.

Modified Schedules:
Children Previously Vaccinated With One or More Doses of Hepatitis B Vaccine: Infants born of HBsAg-negative mothers and who received a dose of hepatitis B vaccine at or shortly after birth may be administered 3 doses of diphtheria/hepB/pertussis,acel/polio/tetanus vaccine (PEDIARIX) according to the recommended schedule.

Children Previously Vaccinated With One or More Doses of INFANRIX (diphtheria/tetanus/pertussis,acel): diphtheria/hepB/pertussis,acel/polio/tetanus vaccine (PEDIARIX) may be used to complete the first 3 doses of the DTaP series in infants who have received 1 or 2 doses of INFANRIX and are also scheduled to receive the other vaccine components of diphtheria/hepB/pertussis,acel/polio/tetanus vaccine (PEDIARIX).

Children Previously Vaccinated With One or More Doses of Poliovirus vaccine, inactivated (IPV):
diphtheria/hepB/pertussis,acel/polio/tetanus vaccine (PEDIARIX) may be used to complete the first 3 doses of the IPV series in infants who have received 1 or 2 doses of IPV and are also scheduled to receive the other vaccine components of diphtheria/hepB/pertussis,acel/polio/tetanus vaccine (PEDIARIX).

Usual Pediatric Dose for Diphtheria Prophylaxis:

Active immunization against diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis (whooping cough), all known subtypes of hepatitis B virus, and poliomyelitis caused by poliovirus Types 1, 2, and 3:
6 months to 5 years:
3 doses of 0.5 mL, given intramuscularly, at 6- to 8-week intervals (preferably 8 weeks). The customary age for the first dose is 2 months of age, but it may be given starting at 6 weeks of age. The preferred administration site is the anterolateral aspect of the thigh for children younger than 1 year. In older children, the deltoid muscle is usually large enough for an intramuscular injection. The vaccine should not be injected in the gluteal area or areas where there may be a major nerve trunk. Gluteal injections may result in suboptimal hepatitis B immune response.

Modified Schedules:
Children Previously Vaccinated With One or More Doses of Hepatitis B Vaccine: Infants born of HBsAg-negative mothers and who received a dose of hepatitis B vaccine at or shortly after birth may be administered 3 doses of diphtheria/hepB/pertussis,acel/polio/tetanus vaccine (PEDIARIX) according to the recommended schedule.

Children Previously Vaccinated With One or More Doses of INFANRIX (diphtheria/tetanus/pertussis,acel): diphtheria/hepB/pertussis,acel/polio/tetanus vaccine (PEDIARIX) may be used to complete the first 3 doses of the DTaP series in infants who have received 1 or 2 doses of INFANRIX and are also scheduled to receive the other vaccine components of diphtheria/hepB/pertussis,acel/polio/tetanus vaccine (PEDIARIX).

Children Previously Vaccinated With One or More Doses of Poliovirus vaccine, inactivated (IPV):
diphtheria/hepB/pertussis,acel/polio/tetanus vaccine (PEDIARIX) may be used to complete the first 3 doses of the IPV series in infants who have received 1 or 2 doses of IPV and are also scheduled to receive the other vaccine components of diphtheria/hepB/pertussis,acel/polio/tetanus vaccine (PEDIARIX).

Usual Pediatric Dose for Pertussis Prophylaxis:

Active immunization against diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis (whooping cough), all known subtypes of hepatitis B virus, and poliomyelitis caused by poliovirus Types 1, 2, and 3:
6 months to 5 years:
3 doses of 0.5 mL, given intramuscularly, at 6- to 8-week intervals (preferably 8 weeks). The customary age for the first dose is 2 months of age, but it may be given starting at 6 weeks of age. The preferred administration site is the anterolateral aspect of the thigh for children younger than 1 year. In older children, the deltoid muscle is usually large enough for an intramuscular injection. The vaccine should not be injected in the gluteal area or areas where there may be a major nerve trunk. Gluteal injections may result in suboptimal hepatitis B immune response.

Modified Schedules:
Children Previously Vaccinated With One or More Doses of Hepatitis B Vaccine: Infants born of HBsAg-negative mothers and who received a dose of hepatitis B vaccine at or shortly after birth may be administered 3 doses of diphtheria/hepB/pertussis,acel/polio/tetanus vaccine (PEDIARIX) according to the recommended schedule.

Children Previously Vaccinated With One or More Doses of INFANRIX (diphtheria/tetanus/pertussis,acel): diphtheria/hepB/pertussis,acel/polio/tetanus vaccine (PEDIARIX) may be used to complete the first 3 doses of the DTaP series in infants who have received 1 or 2 doses of INFANRIX and are also scheduled to receive the other vaccine components of diphtheria/hepB/pertussis,acel/polio/tetanus vaccine (PEDIARIX).

Children Previously Vaccinated With One or More Doses of Poliovirus vaccine, inactivated (IPV):
diphtheria/hepB/pertussis,acel/polio/tetanus vaccine (PEDIARIX) may be used to complete the first 3 doses of the IPV series in infants who have received 1 or 2 doses of IPV and are also scheduled to receive the other vaccine components of diphtheria/hepB/pertussis,acel/polio/tetanus vaccine (PEDIARIX).

Usual Pediatric Dose for Tetanus Prophylaxis:

Active immunization against diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis (whooping cough), all known subtypes of hepatitis B virus, and poliomyelitis caused by poliovirus Types 1, 2, and 3:
6 months to 5 years:
3 doses of 0.5 mL, given intramuscularly, at 6- to 8-week intervals (preferably 8 weeks). The customary age for the first dose is 2 months of age, but it may be given starting at 6 weeks of age. The preferred administration site is the anterolateral aspect of the thigh for children younger than 1 year. In older children, the deltoid muscle is usually large enough for an intramuscular injection. The vaccine should not be injected in the gluteal area or areas where there may be a major nerve trunk. Gluteal injections may result in suboptimal hepatitis B immune response.

Modified Schedules:
Children Previously Vaccinated With One or More Doses of Hepatitis B Vaccine: Infants born of HBsAg-negative mothers and who received a dose of hepatitis B vaccine at or shortly after birth may be administered 3 doses of diphtheria/hepB/pertussis,acel/polio/tetanus vaccine (PEDIARIX) according to the recommended schedule.

Children Previously Vaccinated With One or More Doses of INFANRIX (diphtheria/tetanus/pertussis,acel): diphtheria/hepB/pertussis,acel/polio/tetanus vaccine (PEDIARIX) may be used to complete the first 3 doses of the DTaP series in infants who have received 1 or 2 doses of INFANRIX and are also scheduled to receive the other vaccine components of diphtheria/hepB/pertussis,acel/polio/tetanus vaccine (PEDIARIX).

Children Previously Vaccinated With One or More Doses of Poliovirus vaccine, inactivated (IPV):
diphtheria/hepB/pertussis,acel/polio/tetanus vaccine (PEDIARIX) may be used to complete the first 3 doses of the IPV series in infants who have received 1 or 2 doses of IPV and are also scheduled to receive the other vaccine components of diphtheria/hepB/pertussis,acel/polio/tetanus vaccine (PEDIARIX).

Usual Pediatric Dose for Hepatitis B Prophylaxis:

Active immunization against diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis (whooping cough), all known subtypes of hepatitis B virus, and poliomyelitis caused by poliovirus Types 1, 2, and 3:
6 months to 5 years:
3 doses of 0.5 mL, given intramuscularly, at 6- to 8-week intervals (preferably 8 weeks). The customary age for the first dose is 2 months of age, but it may be given starting at 6 weeks of age. The preferred administration site is the anterolateral aspect of the thigh for children younger than 1 year. In older children, the deltoid muscle is usually large enough for an intramuscular injection. The vaccine should not be injected in the gluteal area or areas where there may be a major nerve trunk. Gluteal injections may result in suboptimal hepatitis B immune response.

Modified Schedules:
Children Previously Vaccinated With One or More Doses of Hepatitis B Vaccine: Infants born of HBsAg-negative mothers and who received a dose of hepatitis B vaccine at or shortly after birth may be administered 3 doses of diphtheria/hepB/pertussis,acel/polio/tetanus vaccine (PEDIARIX) according to the recommended schedule.

Children Previously Vaccinated With One or More Doses of INFANRIX (diphtheria/tetanus/pertussis,acel): diphtheria/hepB/pertussis,acel/polio/tetanus vaccine (PEDIARIX) may be used to complete the first 3 doses of the DTaP series in infants who have received 1 or 2 doses of INFANRIX and are also scheduled to receive the other vaccine components of diphtheria/hepB/pertussis,acel/polio/tetanus vaccine (PEDIARIX).

Children Previously Vaccinated With One or More Doses of Poliovirus vaccine, inactivated (IPV):
diphtheria/hepB/pertussis,acel/polio/tetanus vaccine (PEDIARIX) may be used to complete the first 3 doses of the IPV series in infants who have received 1 or 2 doses of IPV and are also scheduled to receive the other vaccine components of diphtheria/hepB/pertussis,acel/polio/tetanus vaccine (PEDIARIX).


What other drugs will affect diphtheria, hepatitis B, pertussis, polio, and tetanus vaccine?


Before receiving this vaccine, tell the doctor about all other vaccines your child has recently received.

Also tell the doctor if your child has received drugs or treatments in the past 2 weeks that can weaken the immune system, including:



  • an oral, nasal, inhaled, or injectable steroid medicine;




  • medications to treat psoriasis, rheumatoid arthritis, or other autoimmune disorders, such as azathioprine (Imuran), efalizumab (Raptiva), etanercept (Enbrel), leflunomide (Arava), and others; or




  • medicines to treat or prevent organ transplant rejection, such as basiliximab (Simulect), cyclosporine (Sandimmune, Neoral, Gengraf), muromonab-CD3 (Orthoclone), mycophenolate mofetil (CellCept), sirolimus (Rapamune), or tacrolimus (Prograf).



If your child is using any of these drugs, he or she may not be able to receive the vaccine.


There may be other drugs that can affect this vaccine. Tell your doctor about all the prescription and over-the-counter medications your child has received. This includes vitamins, minerals, herbal products, and drugs prescribed by other doctors. Do not start using a new medication without telling your child's doctor.



More diphtheria, hepatitis B, pertussis (acellular), polio, and tetanus vaccine resources


  • Diphtheria, hepatitis B, pertussis (acellular), polio, and tetanus vaccine Use in Pregnancy & Breastfeeding
  • Diphtheria, hepatitis B, pertussis (acellular), polio, and tetanus vaccine Drug Interactions
  • Diphtheria, hepatitis B, pertussis (acellular), polio, and tetanus vaccine Support Group
  • 0 Reviews for Diphtheria, hepatitis B, pertussis (acellular), polio, and tetanus vaccine - Add your own review/rating


Compare diphtheria, hepatitis B, pertussis (acellular), polio, and tetanus vaccine with other medications


  • Diphtheria Prophylaxis
  • Haemophilus influenzae Prophylaxis
  • Hepatitis B Prevention
  • Pertussis Prophylaxis
  • Poliomyelitis Prophylaxis
  • Tetanus Prophylaxis


Where can I get more information?


  • Your doctor or pharmacist may have information about this vaccine written for health professionals that you may read. You may also find additional information from your local health department or the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.



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