How does it work?

This vaccine contains a sterile suspension of diphtheria toxoid and tetanus toxoid (which are modified bacterial toxins), killed Bordetella pertussis (whooping cough) bacteria and an extract of Haemophilus influenzae type b bacteria. It stimulates the body's immune response without causing the diseases. When the body is exposed to foreign organisms, the immune system produces antibodies. These antibodies are specific to the infecting agent and their first function is to help the body recognise and kill the foreign organisms. The antibodies formed remain in the body and recognise and attack any future infection with the same organism. This is known as active immunity. Protection against many infections can be provided artificially by means of vaccines derived from altered forms of infecting organisms. These vaccines stimulate the immune system to produce antibodies in the same way as genuine infection, without actually causing the disease. Each organism stimulates the production of a specific type of antibody, therefore different vaccines are required for each disease. This combination vaccine provides immunity against diphtheria, tetanus, whooping cough and disease caused by Haemophilus influenzae, the most serious of which is meningitis. It is given to children over two months of age in three doses, as part of the childhood vaccination schedule. Some manufacturers recommend that the whole primary immunisation course should be provided using vaccines from the same manufacturer.

What is it used for?

Vaccination against diptheria, tetanus, whooping cough and diseases caused by Haemophilus influenzae type B

Warning!

The efficacy of this vaccine may be reduced in HIV positive individuals

Use with caution in

History of epilepsy

Personal or family history of fitting associated with fever

Not to be used in

Children aged 4 years and over and adults.

Children who collapsed or were unresponsive following a previous dose of vaccine

Children who cried persistantly and inconsolably for more than three hours within 48 hours of a previous dose of vaccine

Children who had a severe allergic reaction (anaphylaxis) following a previous dose of vaccine

Children who had a temperature of 39.5ºC or higher within 48 hours of a previous dose of vaccine

Children who had convulsions or brain disorders (encephalopathy) within three days of a previous dose of vaccine

Children who had swelling of the voice box (laryngeal oedema) following a previous dose of vaccine

Children who had swelling, redness and hardening of the skin over an extensive area around the injection site following a previous dose of vaccine

Known sensitivity or allergy to any ingredient

Narrowing of the airways (bronchospasm) following previous dose of vaccine

Progressive disease affecting the brain and nervous system (neurological disease)

Sudden feverish illness

This medicine should not be used if you are allergic to one or any of its ingredients. Please inform your doctor or pharmacist if you have previously experienced such an allergy. If you feel you have experienced an allergic reaction, stop using this medicine and inform your doctor or pharmacist immediately.

Pregnancy and Breastfeeding

Certain medicines should not be used during pregnancy or breastfeeding. However, other medicines may be safely used in pregnancy or breastfeeding providing the benefits to the mother outweigh the risks to the unborn baby. Always inform your doctor if you are pregnant or planning a pregnancy, before using any medicine.

This medicine is not intended for use in pregnancy or breastfeeding. Seek medical advice from your doctor.

Side effects

Medicines and their possible side effects can affect individual people in different ways. The following are some of the side effects that are known to be associated with this medicine. Because a side effect is stated here, it does not mean that all people using this medicine will experience that or any side effect.

Headache

Allergic reaction to active ingredient

Severe skin rash (erythema multiforme)

Paleness

Fever (pyrexia)

Disorder of the peripheral nerves causing weakness and numbness (peripheral neuropathy)

Irritability

Local pain and swelling at the site of injection

A general feeling of being unwell (malaise)

Crying

Seizures (convulsions)

Brain disorders (encephalopathy)

The side effects listed above may not include all of the side effects reported by the drug's manufacturer. For more information about any other possible risks associated with this medicine, please read the information provided with the medicine or consult your doctor or pharmacist.

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