Dtap, hepatitis b, poliovirus, and haemophilus b vaccine (Intramuscular)

Uses for dtap, hepatitis b, poliovirus, and haemophilus b vaccine

DTaP, Hepatitis B, Poliovirus, and Haemophilus b combination vaccine is an active immunizing agent used to prevent infections caused by diphtheria, tetanus (lockjaw), pertussis (whooping cough), hepatitis B virus, poliovirus, and Haemophilus influenza type b (Hib) bacteria. The vaccine works by causing your body to produce its own protection (antibodies) against the disease.

Diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis, hepatitis B, poliomyelitis, and Hib bacterial infection (eg, pneumonia, meningitis, epiglottitis, pericarditis, septic arthritis) are serious diseases that can cause life-threatening illnesses. Although some serious side effects can occur after a dose of Vaxelis™ (usually from the pertussis vaccine part), this rarely happens. The chance of your child catching one of these diseases, and being permanently injured or dying as a result, is much greater than the chance of your child getting a serious side effect from the vaccine.

This vaccine is recommended for children 6 weeks through 4 years of age (before the child's 5th birthday).

This vaccine is to be given only by or under the direct supervision of your doctor.

Before using dtap, hepatitis b, poliovirus, and haemophilus b vaccine

In deciding to use a vaccine, the risks of taking the vaccine must be weighed against the good it will do. This is a decision you and your doctor will make. For this vaccine, the following should be considered:

Allergies

Tell your doctor if you have ever had any unusual or allergic reaction to dtap, hepatitis b, poliovirus, and haemophilus b vaccine or any other medicines. Also tell your health care professional if you have any other types of allergies, such as to foods, dyes, preservatives, or animals. For non-prescription products, read the label or package ingredients carefully.

Pediatric

Appropriate studies performed to date have not demonstrated pediatric-specific problems that would limit the usefulness of Vaxelis™ in children 6 weeks to 4 years of age. Safety and efficacy have been established.

Geriatric

Vaxelis™ is not for use in adult or geriatric patients.

Breastfeeding

Studies in women suggest that this medication poses minimal risk to the infant when used during breastfeeding.

There are no adequate studies in women for determining infant risk when using this medication during breastfeeding. Weigh the potential benefits against the potential risks before taking this medication while breastfeeding.

Interactions with medicines

Although certain medicines should not be used together at all, in other cases two different medicines may be used together even if an interaction might occur. In these cases, your doctor may want to change the dose, or other precautions may be necessary. Tell your healthcare professional if you are taking any other prescription or nonprescription (over-the-counter [OTC]) medicine.

Interactions with food/tobacco/alcohol

Certain medicines should not be used at or around the time of eating food or eating certain types of food since interactions may occur. Using alcohol or tobacco with certain medicines may also cause interactions to occur. Discuss with your healthcare profession