Pentavalent vaccine

About the vaccine

• The vaccine contains several antigens: tetanus toxoid, diphtheria toxoid, acellular pertussis (parts of the whooping cough bacterium), inactivated poliomyelitis viruses (three types of virus) and conjugated (tetanus protein bound) Hemophilus influenzae type b vaccine.  It also contains sucrose, amino acids, aluminium hydroxide as an adjuvant, phenoxyethanol, trometamol, and traces of residues of the production process (neomycin, streptomycin, polymyxin B).
• It is given according the routine immunization schedule of each country, usually 3 times until the age of 6 months and fourth dose around the age of 1 year.
• The vaccine is given by injection into a muscle: to infants into the upper leg and to older children (older than 3 years) into the deltoid muscle of the upper arm.
• The pentavalent vaccine can be given together with other vaccines: a vaccine against hepatitis B or against a disease caused by Streptococcus pneumoniae, but into another part on the body.
• If your child has not been vaccinated regularly, contact a paediatrician  of family doctor to receive the missing dose of the vaccine.
• Your child must not get the vaccine if:
  • Reacted to a previous dose of the vaccine with a severe allergic reaction or is allergic to some of the components of the vaccine.
  • The component of whooping cough may not be given if the child suffers from a progressive disease of the central nervous system (uncontrolled epilepsy, encephalopathy).
• If your child has an acute illness with a fever, vaccination should be postponed until recovery. The common cold is not a reason to delay vaccination.
• Some countries use Hexavalent vaccines, which in addition to Penta components contain  hepatitis B vaccine.
• Possible rare mild reactions from vaccines (pain, a rash or fever) are normal and will go away soon. If you see something that concerns you, call your doctor.