DIPHTHERIA, TETANUS, PERTUSSIS, HEPATITIS B, Hib VACCINE (DTwP-HepB-Hib)

Last updated: December 2024

Indications

• Prevention of diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis, hepatitis B and severe Haemophilus influenzae type B (Hib) infections in children from 6 weeks to 7 years of age (primary vaccination)

Composition, forms, route of administration

• Pentavalent vaccine combining diphtheria toxoid, tetanus toxoid, pertussis antigens (whole-cell), hepatitis B surface antigen and Hib polysaccharide
• Suspension for injection in multidose vial, for IM injection into the anterolateral part of the thigh in children < 2 years and into the deltoid muscle in children ≥ 2 years.
  DO NOT ADMINISTER INTO THE GLUTEAL MUSCLE.
• Shake before use to homogenise the vaccine.

Dosage and vaccination schedule

• Three-dose primary series:
  • Child: 3 doses 4 weeks apart, preferably before the age of 6 months. It is recommended to administer the 1^st dose at 6 weeks of age, the 2^nd dose at 10 weeks of age and the 3^rd dose at 14 weeks of age.
  • If a child has not received the 1^st dose by the age of 1 year, start vaccination as soon as possible according to the 0-1-6 schedule: 2 doses 4 weeks apart, then a 3^rd dose 6 months after the 1^st dose
• If vaccine schedule has been interrupted, the missing doses should be completed and not restarted from the beginning. 

Contra-indications, adverse effects, precautions

• Do not administer in the event of allergic reactions to a previous dose of vaccine containing these strains.
• Do not administer at birth to vaccinate against hepatitis B.
• Vaccination should be postponed in the event of severe acute febrile illness; minor infections are not contra-indications.
• May cause: mild local reactions (redness, pain at the injection site), fever, pain, malaise, headache, myalgia; rarely: anaphylactic reactions.
• If administered simultaneously with other vaccines, use different syringes and injection sites.

Remarks

• Depending on national recommendations, primary vaccination can be done with a trivalent vaccine (diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis), tetravalent vaccine (diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis, hepatitis B), pentavalent vaccine (diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis, Hib, poliomyelitis) or hexavalent vaccine (diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis, hepatitis B, Hib, poliomyelitis).
• A booster dose with a vaccine containing at least diphtheria toxoid, tetanus toxoid and pertussis antigen is recommended between 12 to 23 months of age. Other boosters are recommended between 4 to 7 years of age and 9 to 15 years of age with a bivalent vaccine containing diphtheria and tetanus toxoids.

Storage