Kinrix
Generic name:diphtheria, pertussis acellular, polio, tetanus vaccine [ dif-THEER-ee-a, per-TUS-is-a-SEL-yoo-lar, POE-lee-oh, TET-a-nus ]
Drug class:Vaccine combinations
What is Kinrix vaccine?
Kinrix is a diphtheria, pertussis acellular, tetanus, and polio vaccine. Diphtheria, pertussis acellular, polio, and tetanus are serious diseases caused by bacteria or virus.
Diphtheria causes a thick coating in the nose, throat, and airway. 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.
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.
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.
Diphtheria, pertussis, and polio are spread from person to person. Tetanus enters the body through a cut or wound.
Kinrix is used to help prevent these diseases in children who are ages 4 through 6 years (before the 7th birthday) who have received prior vaccination with a DTaP and IPV series.
Kinrix works by exposing your child to a small dose of the virus, 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, Kinrix vaccine may not provide protection from disease in every person.
Warnings
Kinrix is given as the 5th dose in a series of DTaP immunizations and the 4th dose in a series of IPV immunizations. The shot is usually given to a child who is at least 4 years old or has not yet reached his or her 7th birthday. Your child's individual dose 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 in the DTaP and IPV series. 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 Kinrix 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 Kinrix.
Your child should not receive Kinrix if he or she had a life-threatening allergic reaction to a vaccine containing diphtheria, pertussis, tetanus, or polio.
Your child should not receive Kinrix if he or she has a neurologic disorder or disease affecting the brain (or if this was a reaction to a previous vaccine).
Before receiving Kinrix
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