Pediacel

How does it work?

Pediacel is a combination vaccine against diphtheria, tetanus, whooping cough (pertussis), polio and Hib infection. It contains inactivated extracts of the five different organisms that cause these diseases.

Purified diphtheria toxoid is a modified toxin produced by the bacteria that causes diphtheria. Purified tetanus toxoid is a modified toxin produced by the bacteria that causes tetanus. Acellular pertussis vaccine consists of five purified components of the bacteria that causes whooping cough. Inactivated poliovirus is an inactivated form of the virus that causes polio. Haemophilus influenzae type b polysaccharide is an extract of Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib) bacteria, which can cause various diseases, the most serious of which is meningitis.

The vaccine works by provoking the body's immune response to these organisms, without actually causing the diseases.

When the body is exposed to foreign organisms, such as bacteria and viruses, the immune system produces antibodies against them. Antibodies help the body recognise and kill the foreign organisms. They then remain in the body to help protect the body against future infections with the same organism. This is known as active immunity.

The immune system produces different antibodies for each foreign organism it encounters. This establishes a pool of antibodies that helps protect the body from various different diseases.

Vaccines contain extracts or inactivated forms of bacteria or viruses that cause disease. These altered forms of the organisms stimulate the immune system to produce antibodies against them, but don't actually cause disease themselves. The antibodies produced remain in the body so that if the organism is encountered naturally, the immune system can recognise it and attack it, thus preventing it from causing disease.

Each bacteria or virus stimulates the immune system to produce a specific type of antibody. This means that different vaccines are needed to prevent different diseases.

Pediacel is a combination vaccine that stimulates the immune system to produce antibodies against the organisms that can cause diphtheria, tetanus, whooping cough polio and Hib infection. It is given to prevent these diseases.

The vaccine is one injection. It is given in three doses at two, three and four months of age, as part of the childhood immunisation schedule.

The injection is usually given into the muscle of the thigh.

What is it used for?

Vaccination of infants against diphtheria, tetanus, whooping cough, polio and infection with Haemophilus influenzae type B (Hib) bacteria, which can cause serious diseases such as meningitis, pneumonia and blood poisoning.

Warning!

This vaccine may not be fully effective in children whose immune system is underactive, for example due to a genetic defect, HIV infection, or treatment with medicines that suppress the immune system, such as chemotherapy, high doses of corticosteroids, or medicines to prevent transplant rejection. For further advice talk to your doctor.

This vaccine only provides protection against meningitis caused haemophilus influenzae type B bacteria (Hib). It will not protect against meningitis caused by other organisms.

Use with caution in

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 unresponsive following 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 within three days of a previous dose of whooping cough vaccine

Bleeding disorders

Reduced platelet count in the blood .

Not to be used in

Children over four years of age and adults

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

Children who had a severe local or general allergic reaction to a previous dose of this vaccine or other vaccines against these diseases

Children who experienced severe neurological illness (encephalopathy) such as prolonged convulsions or unconciousness within seven days of a receiving any previous vaccine against whooping cough

Progressive or unstable disease affecting the brain and nervous system, eg epilepsy (in this case the vaccine should be postponed until the condition is corrected or stable)

Fever or sudden severe illness (in this case the vaccine should be postponed until after the child has recovered).

This vaccine should not be used if your child is allergic to one or any of its ingredients. Please inform your doctor or pharmacist if your child has previously experienced such an allergy.

If you feel your child has experienced an allergic reaction, inform your doctor or pharmacist immediately.

Side effects

Vaccines 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 vaccine. Because a side effect is stated here, it does not mean that all people having this vaccine will experience that or any side effect.

Pain, redness or swelling at injection site

Irritability

Increased crying

Fever

A general feeling of being unwell (malaise)

Loss of appetite

Diarrhoea

Vomiting

Rash or itching

Lump at the site of injection

Unusual high-pitched crying (very rare)

Floppiness or decreased responsiveness (very rare)

Convulsions associated with fever (very rare)

Allergic reactions (very rare)

The side effects listed above may not include all of the side effects reported by the vaccine's manufacturer.

For more information about any other possible risks associated with this vaccine, please read the information provided with the vaccine or consult your doctor or pharmacist.

How can this vaccine affect other medicines?

This vaccine is not known to affect other medicines.

This vaccine can be given to children whose immune systems are suppressed by treatment such as immunosuppressant medicines or chemotherapy for cancer. However, unless this treatment is long-term, it is recommended that vaccination is postponed until the immunosuppressive treatment is finished, as the vaccine may be less effective in these children.

This vaccine may be given at the same time as meningitis C or hepatitis B vaccines, but should be administered into separate sites and preferably into separate limbs.

Go To Next Page>>
The documents contained in this web site are presented for information purposes only. The material is in no way intended to replace professional medical care or attention by a qualified practitioner. The materials in this web site cannot and should not be used as a basis for diagnosis or choice of treatment. Conditions for use



© Copyright 1998 - 2004 NetDoctor.co.uk - All rights reserved