ProQuad

ProQuad is a new vaccine, but unlike most other new vaccines, this one means one fewer shot for your kids.

Proquad is indicated for use in children 12 months to 12 years of age who need to be vaccinated against the measles, mumps, rubella, and varicella viruses. This used to mean getting two separate shots, the MMR and Varivax (chicken pox) vaccines, which according to the latest immunization schedule, most kids get when they are about 12 to 15 months old.

Like the separate MMR and Varivax vaccines, ProQuad is an attenuated live virus vaccine. Other facts about ProQuad include that:

• ProQuad is made by Merck
• You must wait at least 1 month between getting a regular MMR vaccine and ProQuad
• ProQuad may be given at the same time as the Hib and HepB vaccines
• ProQuad may be used as the first dose of MMR and Varivax
• ProQuad may be used as the second dose of MMR, if the child also needs a chicken pox shot

ProQuad should not be given to certain children, including children:

• who have had anaphylactic reactions to neomycin or a hypersensitivity to gelatin or other components of ProQuad
• with malignant neoplasms, such as leukemia and lymphoma
• on immunosuppressive therapy
• who have immunodeficiencies
• who have a family history of congenital or hereditary immunodeficiency, until testing is completed

Children should also not get ProQuad if they:

• have active untreated tuberculosis
• have an active febrile illness and the fever is above 101.3 degrees
• are pregnant

Your Pediatrician will likely also be cautious before giving ProQuad to your child if he has a history of cerebral injury, seizures, a family history of seizures, egg allergy, contact dermatitis from neomycin, thrombocytopenia, or if he is supposed to avoid the stress from a fever.

The safety profile of ProQuad was similar to that of the separate MMR and Varivax vaccines. Children were more likely to have fever, a rash at the injection site, and a measles like rash after getting ProQuad, but were less likely to have pain, tenderness, and soreness at the injection site, than if they got separate MMR and Varivax injections.

The most common side effects of ProQuad include:

• Injection site reactions:
  • pain/tenderness/soreness
  • erythema (redness)
  • swelling
  • ecchymosis (bruising)
  • rash
• Systemic reactions
  • fever greater or equal to 102 degrees
  • irritability
  • measles like rash
  • chicken pox like rash
  • rash
  • upper respiratory infection
  • viral exanthema
  • diarrhea

• ProQuad is a little more expensive than the separate MMR and Varivax vaccines, so it may be some time before insurance companies start paying for it and your Pediatrician has it in their office.

• ProQuad Product Label. August 2005.