Pediarix Vaccine
Pediarix is a combined immunization against diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis (whooping cough), polio, and hepatitis B. It is given in 3 shots to babies under 6 months old. Pediarix is more likely to cause fevers than separate vaccines. Other serious side effects include allergic reactions, seizures, brain damage, and death.
What is DTaP?
What is IPV?
When is each shot of Pediarix?
Do I need more shots?
What are the most common side effects of Pediarix?
Who should not get Pediarix?
What are severe side effects of Pediarix?
What other side effects have been reported?
What else is in Pediarix?
Where can I get more information?
What is Pediarix?
Pediarix® is a DTaP-HepB-IPV vaccine made by GlaxoSmithKline that was approved in 2002. It is an inactivated bacterial and viral vaccine against polio, hepatitis B, diphtheria, tetanus, and pertussis.
What is DTaP?
DTaP is a vaccine against diphtheria, tetanus, and pertussis. It is given in a series of 5 shots at the ages of 2 months, 4 months, 6 months, 15-20 months, and 4-6 years old. Pediarix can be used for the first 3 shots, but 2 more shots are needed to complete the series.
What is IPV?
IPV stands for Inactivated Polio Vaccine. It is an immunization against poliomyelitis, more commonly known as “polio,” that is given in a series of 4 shots at the ages of 2 months, 4 months, 6-18 months, and 4-6 years old. Pediarix can be used for the first 3 shots, but 1 more dose of IPV is needed to complete the polio immunization schedule.
What is HepB?
Hepatitis B or “HepB” is a liver disease that is caused by a virus. The vaccine is given to babies soon after they are born. It is given as 3 or 4 shots over a 6-month period and is usually complete by the the time the baby is 6 months old. Pediarix completes this vaccine schedule.
When is each shot of Pediarix?
One shot of Pediarix is given at the age 2 months, 4 months, and 6 months. It can be given to children up to 6 years old. It is not licensed for booster shots, infants under 6 weeks, or children over 7 years old.
Will I need more shots?
Yes. Pediarix should be followed with 4th and 5th doses of DTaP and a 4th dose of IPV at appropriate ages.
What are the most common side effects of Pediarix?
In clinical trials, 20-40% of children had injection-site reactions (pain, redness, and swelling). Other common side effects were drowsiness (40-60%), irritability/fussiness (60%), and loss of appetite (25-30%).
What is the risk of fever from Pediarix?
Pediarix is more likely to cause fever than separate vaccines against the same diseases. The risk depends on the dose of Pediarix. Fevers over 100.4°F occurred within 4 days of Dose 1 (28%), Dose 2 (39%), and Dose 3 (33%) of Pediarix. About 1% needed medical attention.
Who should not get Pediarix?
Pediarix is not safe for children who had a severe allergic reaction to a previous vaccine against diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis, hepatitis B, or polio, or any other ingredient in Pediarix (see below for a full list).
Pediarix should not be given to children who have progressive neurologic disorders or encephalopathy (brain inflammation) within 7 days of a previous vaccine containing pertussis.
There is latex in the tip-cap on Pediarix syringes, which can cause allergic reactions in people who are allergic to latex.
What are severe side effects of Pediarix?
- Allergic reaction
- Anaphylaxis
- Apnea (stop breathing temporarily) in premature babies
- Brain inflammation
- Collapse or shock-like state
- Coma
- Crying lasting over 3 hours
- Death
- Decreased level of consciousness
- Encephalopathy
- Fainting and fall injuries
- Fever over 105°F
- Fever-induced seizures (febilre seizure)
- Guillain-Barré Syndrome (GBS)
- Hypotonic-Hyporesponsive Episode
- Seizures
- Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS)
What other side effects have been reported?
Other severe side effects have been reported in children who received Pediarix, but it is unknown if they were actually caused by Pediarix. The following is a list of possible side effects that experts believe may have been caused by Pediarix:
- Abnormal liver function
- Anaphylactic reactions
- Bulging fontanelle
- Cyanosis (“Blue Baby Syndrome”)
- Decreased consciousness
- Diarrhea
- Encephalitis
- Fatigue
- Hypersensitivity
- Low oxygen in the bloodstream
- Severe swelling (angioedema)
- Upper respiratory tract infection
- Unusual crying or screaming
What else is in Pediarix?
Latex, formaldehyde, gluteraldehyde, aluminum hydroxide, aluminum phosphate, lactalbumin hydrolysate, polysorbate 80, neomycin sulfate, polymyxin B, yeast protein, calf serum, Fenton medium (containing bovine extract), modified Latham medium (derived from bovine casein), modified Stainer-Scholte liquid medium, Vero (monkey kidney) cells.
Each 0.5-mL dose contains aluminum (up to 0.85 mg), 4.5mg of salt, less than 100 mcg of formaldehyde and polysorbate 80 (Tween 80), the antibiotics neomycin (under 0.05 ng) and polymyxin B (under 0.01 ng), and yeast protein (less than 5%).
The tip caps of the pre-filled syringes contain natural rubber latex.
