Infanrix-IPV

How does it work?

This vaccine contains altered components of four different organisms that cause four different diseases. Diphtheria toxoid is a modified toxin produced by the bacteria that causes diphtheria. Tetanus toxoid is a modified toxin produced by the bacteria that causes tetanus. Acellular pertussis vaccine consists of three modified components of the bacteria that causes whooping cough. Inactivated poliomyelitis virus is an inactivated form of the virus that causes polio. This combination vaccine works by stimulating the body's immune response to these organisms, without actually causing the diseases.

When the body is exposed to foreign organisms such as bacteria, the immune system produces antibodies. These antibodies help the immune system to recognise and kill the foreign organisms. Each foreign organism causes the body to produce a different type of antibody that only recognises that specific invader.

The antibodies formed remain in the body and recognise any future infection with the same organism. This allows the immune system to attack the organism rapidly and so prevent it causing disease. This protection from infections is known as active immunity.

Immunity can be produced artificially by giving vaccines. A vaccine is a bacteria, bacterial toxin or virus that has been inactivated or altered in some way so that it does not cause disease. However, because the body recognises the vaccine as a foreign invader, it produces antibodies against it in the same way as it would against the genuine infecting organism. If the body then encounters the genuine infecting organism it is already prepared and can launch an attack against it rapidly.

Each organism stimulates the production of a specific type of antibody, so a different vaccine must be used for each disease. This combination vaccine causes the immune system to produce antibodies that protect the body against diphtheria, tetanus, whooping cough and polio. It is one injection that is given to children as a pre-school booster against these four diseases. It is usually given at age three to five years, as part of the childhood immunisation schedule.

What is it used for?

Booster vaccination against diphtheria, tetanus, whooping cough (pertussis) and polio

Warning!

This vaccine can be given to children whose immune systems are chronically suppressed, either by disease such as HIV or by treatment such as chemotherapy, however, the vaccine may be less effective in these children. (For more information about immunosuppressive treatment see below.)

Use with caution in

Bleeding disorders

Reduced platelet count in the blood

Children who had a temperature of 40ºC or higher within 48 hours of a previous dose of whooping cough vaccine

Children who collapsed or were in a shock-like state within 48 hours of a previous dose of whooping cough vaccine

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

Children who had convulsions (fits), with or without fever, within three days of a previous dose of whooping cough vaccine

Not to be used in

Fever or sudden severe illness

Known allergy to any ingredient of the vaccine (including formaldehyde, neomycin or polymixin B)

Children who experienced other neurological complications (affecting the brain or spinal cord) following a previous vaccine against diphtheria, tetanus, whooping cough or polio

Children who experienced severe illness affecting the brain (encephalopathy) within seven days of receiving any previous vaccine against whooping cough

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 adults, hence there is no information available about its safety during pregnancy and breastfeeding. It is not recommended during pregnancy or breastfeeding.

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.

Pain, redness and swelling at the injection site

Fever (pyrexia)

Headache

A general feeling of being unwell (malaise)

Sleepiness

Irritability

Loss of appetite

Restlessness

Unusual crying

Diarrhoea

Nausea and vomiting

Weakness

Swelling of injected limb

Swollen glands

Rash

Difficulty sleeping

Stuffy nose

Coughing

Stomache ache

Backache

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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