Pentacel is a combination vaccine that combines the DTaP, IPV, and Hib vaccines into a single shot.
Pentacel can be given to infants and children between the ages of six weeks and four years to protect them against diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis, polio, and Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib).
Pentacel is usually given as a four dose series, with the primary doses at two, four, and six months, and a booster dose at 15 to 18 months.
- Pentacel is a combination DTaP-IPV/Hib vaccine that has been used outside the United States since 1997.
- Pentacel can be given with other vaccines in the routine childhood immunization schedule, including Prevnar, Hepatitis B, MMR, and Varivax.
- Since they are both combination shots that are given to infants, Pentacel will likely compete directly with Pediarix in many pediatrician's offices.
Pentacel side effects can include injection site reactions, such as redness, swelling, tenderness, and an increase in arm circumference after the fourth dose (just like boosters of other DTaP vaccines). Other side effects can include fever, decreased activity, inconsolable crying for a few hours, and fussiness, and were comparable to side effects from getting the vaccines separately.
- Like most vaccines in the current childhood immunization schedule, Pentacel is thimerosal free.
- Children should not be given Pentacel if they have had a serious allergic reaction to a previous diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis, polio, or Hib vaccine, neomycin or polymyxin B (components of the Pentacel vaccine), if they have had encephalopathy within seven days of a previous pertussis shot, or if they have a progressive neurologic disorder.
Sources:
Pentacel Product information. June 2008.
