Pentavac PFS Vaccine

Pentavac PFS Vaccine is to be administered by healthcare professionals. It may cause redness, pain, and swelling at the site of infusion. This usually goes away with time. It can be taken by patients irrespective of age.

Pentavac PFS Vaccine is generally well tolerated by patients and is also safe in children. However, it has a few side effects such as fever, weakness, headache, drowsiness, etc. It is important to inform your doctor if you have any kidney or liver disease. Pregnant and breastfeeding women should consult their doctor before taking it.

Prevention of Diphtheria
Prevention of Tetanus
Prevention of Pertussis
Prevention of Hepatitis B infection
Prevention of Haemophilus influenzae Type b disease

Your doctor or nurse will give you this medicine. Kindly do not self administer.

Pentavac PFS Vaccine is a combination of five vaccines. It helps develop immunity by initiating a mild infection in the body. This type of infection does not cause illness but stimulates the body’s immune system to produce antibodies (proteins) to protect against any future infections.

Do not panic. If you miss a schedule of Pentavac PFS Vaccine, do consult your child’s doctor and get your child vaccinated as soon as possible.

Maintain a log of your child’s vaccination history. Be sure to ask for a personal record card or a printed copy of your child’s vaccinations. Whenever your child receives a vaccine, make sure your copy gets updated.

Vaccines can ensure the best protection when given at the right time. The Government of India has designed a National Immunization Schedule which suggests a timeline for vaccines to be given to infants, young children, and adolescents when they are vulnerable to specific vaccine-preventable diseases.

The duration of immunity varies with different diseases and different vaccines. Usually, the protection provided by vaccines decreases gradually over time. Neither natural infection nor vaccination may be able to provide lifelong immunity. Therefore, booster doses are sometimes recommended for certain vaccines, at specific ages.

Q. Why are vaccinations important in children?

Vaccinations protect your child against serious diseases by stimulating the immune system to create antibodies against certain bacteria or viruses.

Q. What is the Universal Immunization Program?

Universal Immunisation Program is a vaccination program followed in India. Under this program, all infants and children are vaccinated to ensure prevention against many serious life-threatening diseases such as Diphtheria, Pertussis, Tetanus, Polio, Measles, severe forms of childhood tuberculosis, Hepatitis B, Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib), and Diarrhea.

Q. When can I call my child fully vaccinated?

A fully immunized child has received all vaccines recommended in the National Immunization Schedule in required doses, at the appropriate age.

Q. What is the duration of immunity provided by immunization?

The duration of immunity varies with different diseases and different vaccines. Lifelong immunity is not always provided by either natural infection or vaccination. The protection provided by vaccines decreases gradually over time. Therefore, booster doses are sometimes recommended for certain vaccines to protect specific age groups.

Q. Is a booster dose recommended for Pentavac PFS Vaccine under the Universal Immunization Programme?

Currently a booster dose is not recommended for Pentavac PFS Vaccine under Universal Immunization Programme. This is because the Hib vaccine protects for at least 15 years. However, the boosters for Diphtheria, Pertussis, and tetanus (DPT) are recommended at 16-24 months and 5-6 years of age.

Q. Can I get my child vaccinated if he or she has a cold or fever, or is on antibiotics?

Yes. Your child can still get vaccinated if he or she has a mild illness, a low-grade fever, or is taking antibiotics. Vaccination should be delayed only if your child’s immunity is severely low or your child is suffering from any systemic illness that leads to low immunity. It would be best to talk with your child’s doctor if you have questions.

Q. What if I miss an appointment? Does my baby have to start the vaccines all over again?

No. If your baby misses some doses, it is not necessary to start over. Your child’s doctor may suggest continuing the schedule where your child left off.

Q. How do I keep a track of my child’s vaccination?

Usually, a record of all the vaccination which a child takes is maintained in many medical practices. So, remember to ask for a personal record card or a printed copy of your child’s vaccinations. However, it is still advised to keep records of your own at home. Always carry your copy of the record to all medical appointments. Whenever your child receives a vaccine, make sure your copy gets updated. Your child will benefit by having an accurate vaccination record throughout his or her life.

Q. What is herd immunity? How do vaccines help achieve it?

Herd immunity is a form of indirect protection from an infectious disease. It occurs when a sufficient percentage of a population becomes immune to an infection, either through vaccination or due to self-developed immunity against previous infections. Herd immunity helps reduce the likelihood of infection for individuals who lack immunity.

Q. What is the reason that some children suffer from vaccine-preventable disease even though they have been vaccinated against that disease?

Vaccines have been used for decades and have proven to be effective. Like any other medicine, vaccines too cannot provide 100% results. The immunity produced by vaccines may vary from child to child. There may be children who may not be able to develop sufficient protective immunity against a disease-causing pathogen due to malnutrition, repeated episodes of diarrhea, or individual-specific immune response to a vaccine. These reasons may cause some children to suffer from vaccine-preventable diseases despite receiving the vaccination against them. However, in such cases, the disease is of less severity than in those who have never been vaccinated.

In Prevention of Diphtheria

Tetanus, commonly called lockjaw, is a serious bacterial infection that affects the nervous system and causes muscles to become stiff and tighten. Pentavac PFS Vaccine helps prevent tetanus infection. It helps the immune system to produce antibodies to fight against tetanus infection. Vaccination is the best way to protect your child against this life-threatening disease.

In Prevention of Tetanus

Diphtheria is a bacterial infection that causes pain and swelling in the throat. This may even cause difficulty in breathing. It might also damage the heart, kidneys, and nerves. Pentavac PFS Vaccine protects against diphtheria. It is advisable to consult your doctor for complete information regarding vaccination schedules. After vaccination, most children develop antibodies sufficient enough to protect against diphtheria.

In Prevention of Pertussis

Pertussis (often called whooping cough) is an infection of the airways that can occur at any age but mostly affects infants and young children. The infection causes uncontrollable coughing, making breathing difficult. Pentavac PFS Vaccine offers the best protection against Pertussis. It is advisable to consult your doctor to gather complete information regarding vaccination schedules.

In Prevention of Hepatitis B infection

Hepatitis B is a liver disease caused by contracting the hepatitis B virus. When Pentavac PFS Vaccine is given to children, the immune system is stimulated thereby producing antibodies against this virus. These antibodies help provide protection against infection caused by the hepatitis B virus.

In Prevention of Haemophilus influenzae Type b disease

Haemophilus Influenzae type b can cause serious illness, especially in children. These may include meningitis (infection of brain meninges), pneumonia, etc. It is spread mainly through contact with infected droplets (coughing or sneezing) or secretions from an infected person’s nose and throat. Pentavac PFS Vaccine provides long-term protection against this disease. It helps the immune system to produce antibodies to fight against the disease.show moreshow less

Most side effects do not require any medical attention and disappear as your body adjusts to the medicine. Consult your doctor if they persist or if you’re worried about them

Skin rash

Injection site reactions (pain, swelling, redness)

Loss of appetite

Irritation

Fever

Alcohol:CONSULT YOUR DOCTOR

It is not known whether it is safe to consume alcohol with Pentavac PFS Vaccine. Please consult your doctor.

Pregnancy:CONSULT YOUR DOCTOR

Information regarding the use of Pentavac PFS Vaccine during pregnancy is not available. Please consult your doctor.

Breast feeding:CONSULT YOUR DOCTOR

Information regarding the use of Pentavac PFS Vaccine during breastfeeding is not available. Please consult your doctor.

Driving:CONSULT YOUR DOCTOR

It is not known whether Pentavac PFS Vaccine alters the ability to drive. Do not drive if you experience any symptoms that affect your ability to concentrate and react.

Kidney:SAFE IF PRESCRIBED

Pentavac PFS Vaccine is safe to use in patients with kidney disease. No dose adjustment of Pentavac PFS Vaccine is recommended.

Liver:SAFE IF PRESCRIBED

Pentavac PFS Vaccine is safe to use in patients with liver disease. No dose adjustment of Pentavac PFS Vaccine is recommended.

Diphtheria, Tetanus, Pertussis , Hepatitis Band Haemophilus Type b Conjugate Vaccine. Solan, Himachal Pradesh: Panacea Biotec Ltd.; 2009. view

Diphtheria, Tetanus, Pertussis , Hepatitis Band Haemophilus Type b Conjugate VaccineI.P. Genome Valley, Hyderabad: Bharat Biotech. view

Ministry of Health $ Family Welfare, Government of India. Frequently Asked Questions on Immunization. 2017. view

MSF Medical Guidelines. Diphtheria, Tetanus, Pertussis, Hepatitis B, Hib Vaccine. view

Caring for Kids. 5-in-1 or 6-in-1 vaccine. . view