Diphtheria, haemophilus B, pertussis, polio, tetanus vaccine

Diphtheria, haemophilus influenzae type B, pertussis, polio, and tetanus are serious diseases caused by bacteria or viruses.

Diphtheria can cause breathing problems, paralysis, heart failure, or death.

Haemophilus B bacteria can infect the lungs or throat, and can also spread to the blood, bones, joints, brain, or spinal cord. It can cause breathing problems or meningitis, and these infections can be fatal.

Pertussis (whooping cough) causes severe, long-lasting coughing spells that can interfere with eating, drinking, or breathing. Pertussis can lead to pneumonia, seizures, brain damage, and death.

Polio can affect the brain and spinal cord, leading to muscle weakness and paralysis. Polio can be fatal if paralysis affects the muscles used for breathing.

Tetanus (lockjaw) causes painful muscle tightening that can lead to "locking" of the jaw, preventing the person from opening their mouth, swallowing, or breathing. Tetanus can lead to death.

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

The Pentacel (DTaP-IPV/Hib) vaccine is used to help prevent these diseases in children who are ages 6 weeks through 4 years (before the 5th birthday). This vaccine helps your child's body develop immunity to these diseases, but will not treat an active infection that the child already has.

Like any vaccine, the Pentacel (DTaP-IPV/Hib) vaccine may not provide protection from disease in every person.

Becoming infected with diphtheria, haemophilus B, pertussis, polio, or tetanus is much more dangerous to your child's health than getting this vaccine.

Your child should not receive this vaccine if he or she has ever had a similar vaccine that caused any of the following:

• a severe allergic reaction to a diphtheria, haemophilus B, pertussis, polio, tetanus (DTaP-IPV/Hib) vaccine or any ingredient in the vaccine;
• decreased consciousness, seizures, or coma within 7 days after getting a pertussis vaccine; or
• nervous system problems or brain disorders (such as infantile spasms or uncontrolled epilepsy).

Your child may not be able to receive this vaccine if he or she has ever had a pertussis vaccine that caused:

• within 48 hours after the vaccine--a very high fever (105°F (40.5°C) or higher), excessive crying for 3 hours or longer, fainting or going into shock; or
• within 3 days after the vaccine--a seizure.

Tell your vaccination provider if your child has or has ever had:

• seizures;
• a weak immune system caused by disease or by taking certain medicines or receiving cancer treatments; or
• Guillain-Barré syndrome (within 6 weeks after receiving a tetanus vaccine).

Tell the vaccination provider if your child was born prematurely or has a seizure disorder.

Get emergency medical help if your child shows signs of an allergic reaction: hives, trouble breathing, swelling of the face, lips, tongue, or throat.

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

Keep track of all side effects your child experiences. If the child gets a booster dose, inform the vaccination provider about any side effects from the previous shot.

Becoming infected with diphtheria, haemophilus B, pertussis, polio, or tetanus may pose a greater risk 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 chance of serious side effects is very low.

Contact your child's doctor immediately if your child develops a fever of 105°F (40.5°C) or higher, collapses or has a shock-like episode, or cries continuously for 3 hours or longer within 48 hours after receiving a DTaP-IPV/Hib vaccine, or if your child has a seizure within 3 days after getting the vaccine.

Also contact your doctor right away if the child experiences:

• fainting; or
• nervous system issues—numbness, pain, tingling, weakness, burning or prickly feelings, vision or hearing problems, trouble breathing.

Common side effects of diphtheria, haemophilus B, pertussis, polio, tetanus vaccine may include:

• fussiness or unusual crying;
• fever; or
• tenderness or swelling at the injection site.

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Contact 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.

This vaccine is given as an injection (shot) into a muscle.

This vaccine is given as a series of 4 doses. The first dose may be given as early as 6 weeks of age. It is usually given at 2, 4, and 6 months of age, followed by one dose at 15 to 18 months of age.

The timing of this vaccination is very important for it to be effective. Your child's individual booster schedule may be different from these guidelines. Follow your child doctor's instructions or the schedule recommended by your local health department.

This vaccine can affect the results of certain medical tests. Tell any doctor who treats your child that your child has received the diphtheria, haemophilus B, pertussis, polio, tetanus (DTaP-IPV/Hib) vaccine.

Your child may be given other medications to help prevent certain serious side effects or allergic reaction. Keep taking these medicines for as long as your doctor has prescribed.

Contact your vaccination provider if your child misses a dose or falls behind schedule. The next dose should be given as soon as possible. There is no need to start over.

Make sure your child receives all recommended doses of this vaccine, or they may not be fully protected against disease.

An overdose of this vaccine is not likely to happen.

Follow the vaccination provider's instructions about any limits on food, drinks, or activities.

Before getting this vaccine, inform the vaccination provider about all other vaccines your child has had.

Also, let the vaccination provider know if your child has recently taken any drugs or treatments that can weaken the immune system, including:

• steroid medicine;
• cancer treatments;
• medicine for psoriasis, rheumatoid arthritis, or other autoimmune disorders; or
• medicines for preventing organ transplant rejection.

This list is not complete. Other drugs may impact this vaccine, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Not all possible drug interactions are included here.