Today is our topic of discussion Pentavalent vaccine
Pentavalent vaccine
Definition:
The pentavalent vaccine (5-in-1) is the combination of five different injection (single dose vial-liquid form) to protect against five diseases. The diseases are –
- Haemophiles influenzae type b (Hib) disease (namely, meningitis and pneumonia)
- Diphtheria
- Pertussis
- Tetanus and
- Hepatitis-B
Features:
i. The vaccine was introduced in EPI in January 2009, replacing the DPT and hepatitis vaccines. By July 2009, the national immunization programme was only providing the pentavalent vaccine throughout the country.
ii. Children immunized with this 5-in-1 vaccine do not need any more to be vaccinated seperately with DPT
or Hepatitis B vaccine.
iii. All children during their first year of age should receive three doses of pentavalent vaccine with an interval of at least four weeks between the doses. However, children who have already started immunization with DPT and Hepatitis-B will complete their vaccination with DPT and Hepatitis-B. They will not get pentavalent vaccine.
iv. Vaccination with pentavalent must be completed within two years of age if the child starts before I year of age. v. Children under six weeks of age, over five years, teenagers and adults should not be given pentavalent vaccine because of the DPT component.
vi. To guarantee long-term protection, all three doses of pentavalent vaccine should be given. If a child misses the date for vaccination, the child can be given the dose as soon as possible. There is no need to re-start the vaccination schedule.
Dosage:
0.5 ml.
Route and site of administration:
I/M to the anterolateral aspect of the thigh in infants and arm (deltoid muscle) in children.
Advantages of pentavalent:
1. It reduces the number of injections per child.
2. It acts as a effective counter against infant mortality.
Contraindications:
1. H/o severe allergic reaction (e.g. generalized urticaria, difficulty in breathing, swelling of mouth and throat, shock) to a previous dose of pentavalent vaccine or known hypersensitivity to any vaccine component.
2. H/o encephalopathy or fever of 40°C or convulsions after a previous immunization (not due to other identifiable causes).
3. A severe acute illness with temperature above 38.5°C,
4. A progressive neurological illness.
The following are not contraindications:
1. Minor illnesses such as respiratory tract infection or diarrhoea with temperature below 38.5°C.
2. Allergy or asthma. 3. Family history of convulsions.
4. Treatment with antibiotics.
5. Treatment with steroids
6. Infection with HIV
7. Breast feeding
8. History of seizures (convulsions, fits)
9. Chronic illnesses such as those of heart, lung, kidney or liver
10. Stable neurological conditions e.g. cerebral palsy, Down syndrome
11. Prematurity or low birth weight
12. History of jaundice at birth.
Storage & transport:
Should be stored and transported between 2°C -8°C & should not be frozen. It should preferably be kept in the middle shelf of the main compartment of the refrigerator in all places storing the vaccine including MOHFW offices. While transporting & during day sessions, the vaccine vials should not be kept in contact with ice in vaccine carriers.
Table: EPI schedule for children under 5 years and TT schedule for women of child bearing age 15-49 (WCBA)
*Penta – Pentavalent (Hib + DPT + Hepatitis – B)
See also :
