New Vaccines Mean Fewer Shots???
Kids usually dread the idea of new vaccines coming out. And parents these days sometimes aren't too excited about it either.
Two new vaccines that were just approved by the FDA may actually be welcomed by kids though, as they will likely mean they will get fewer shots at their next visit with their pediatrician.
Pentacel is a combination vaccine that combines the DTaP, IPV, and Hib vaccines into a single shot. Kinrix, another newly approved vaccine, combines the DTaP and IPV vaccines into a single shot. Although Kinrix can only be given to children who are four to six years old, it will be welcomed by parents and children who are sometimes getting four shots right now as they prepare to go to kindergarten.
Related:
Rotarix
Vaccine Additives and Preservatives
The Vaccine Debate
Vaccine Preventable Illnesses
Comments
Am I missing something here?
Does it make any sense to start using the PENTACEL if we’re already saving shots with the PEDIARIX?
I’m guessing they will be competing products and some will use one vs the other, although there may be small benefits of using one vs the other.
Most newborns are getting a birth dose of Hepatitis B and then three more doses of Hepatitis B with Pediarix (DTaP/HepB/IPV).
With Pentacel (DTaP-IPV/Hib), they can still get their birth dose of Hepatitis B and a 2nd and 3rd dose later, since Pentacel doesn’t include Hepatitis B and not worry about getting the extra dose.
Also, since Pentacel is a 4 dose series, it makes it easier to give the same DTaP for all doses. For Pediarix, a 3 dose series, you have to remember to give the Infranix brand of DTaP to give the same DTaP shot, although you don’t have to have the same DTaP brand for them to be effective.
I just got a call from a group wanting me to sign a contract to buy only Merck and Sanofi products at a small savings. I turned them down because I don’t want to be limited to ordering one brand if another brand fits our usage better. We give the Pentacel for the fourth booster dose and give the Pediarix for the first three doses. Is there any reason that we should not do that?
According to the AAP:
“Limited data exist concerning the safety, immunogenicity, or efficacy of administering acellular pertussis vaccines (eg, DTaP or DTaP-Hib) from different manufacturers between the fourth (at age 15-18 months) and fifth (at age 4-6 years) doses in the vaccination series. No data are available regarding the interchangeability of acellular pertussis products from different manufacturers for the first three pertussis doses scheduled at ages 2, 4, and 6 months. Thus, use of the same manufacturer’s acellular pertussis vaccine product(s) is preferred for at least the first three doses in the series.”
This is in their policy statement on Combination Vaccines for Childhood Immunization