OVERVIEW • Pentavalent Vaccine is a vaccine that is used to immunize against five major and deadly • childhood diseases namely diphtheria, pertussis, tetanus (DPT), and hepatitis B and Haemophilus influenzae type b). • It contains 5 antigens and hence the name (DPT – HepB – Hib) • Hepatitis B vaccine protects against severe liver disease including liver cancer • The addition of Hib protects against H influenzae meningitis, septicemia and pneumonia • Pentavalent can be given to any baby between the ages of six weeks to one year of age
ADVANTAGES OF PENTAVALENT VACCINE • The vaccine does not require to be reconstituted • In the pentavalent vaccine schedule followed in the UIP (universal immunization program), the number of injections has reduced from nine to six • Safe and wider coverage achieved quickly and cheaply • Less pain and inconvenience for babies
PENTAVALENT VACCINE SCHEDULE • Three doses of Pentavalent vaccine are given in UIP • The first dose is given at six weeks of age. The second and third doses are administered at 10 and 14 weeks of age respectively • There is no booster dose under the UIP for the Pentavalent vaccine
CONTRAINDICATIONS TO PENTAVALENT VACCINE • Age below six weeks • Vaccine initiated with DPT and HepB will continue with the same schedule (not Pentavalent vaccine) • History of allergic reactions to earlier injections • Moderate or severe illness and to wait until the condition gets better(minor URIs not a contraindication)
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