diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis (acellular), poliomyelitis (inactivated), hepatitis b (rDNA) and haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib) vaccine at a glance
Vaccine type
Contains toxoids, purified antigens, recombinant hepatitis B antigen, inactivated poliovirus and a Hib conjugate.
Main role
Active immunisation of infants and toddlers against six vaccine-preventable infections.
Administration
Given by deep intramuscular injection by a trained healthcare professional after reconstitution.
Live vaccine
No. It cannot reproduce in the body or cause the infections it targets.
What is diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis (acellular), poliomyelitis (inactivated), hepatitis b (rDNA) and haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib) vaccine used for?
Used to immunise infants and toddlers against:
Diphtheria
Tetanus
Pertussis (whooping cough)
Poliomyelitis
Hepatitis B
Invasive disease caused by Haemophilus influenzae type b
How does diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis (acellular), poliomyelitis (inactivated), hepatitis b (rDNA) and haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib) vaccine work?
The vaccine presents harmless components of the target organisms to the immune system. The body responds by producing antibodies and immune memory without exposure to live disease-causing organisms.
How to take diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis (acellular), poliomyelitis (inactivated), hepatitis b (rDNA) and haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib) vaccine
A trained healthcare professional reconstitutes the Hib powder with the supplied vaccine suspension and gives it as a deep intramuscular injection.
Tell the vaccinator about previous vaccine reactions, allergies, neurological problems, bleeding disorders, immunosuppressive treatment or current illness.
A minor infection without fever or systemic upset does not usually prevent vaccination; acute severe fever may require postponement.
The vaccine must not be injected into a blood vessel or into the skin.
diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis (acellular), poliomyelitis (inactivated), hepatitis b (rDNA) and haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib) vaccine side effects
Common or expected effects
- Pain, redness or swelling at the injection site
- Fever
- Irritability, restlessness or unusual crying
- Sleepiness
- Reduced appetite
- Vomiting or diarrhoea
Get urgent medical advice
- Severe allergic reaction, including facial or throat swelling and breathing difficulty
- Collapse or a shock-like, poorly responsive episode
- Seizure, with or without fever
- Breathing pauses, particularly in very premature infants
- Extensive swelling of the injected limb
diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis (acellular), poliomyelitis (inactivated), hepatitis b (rDNA) and haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib) vaccine in pregnancy
Infanrix hexa is intended for infants and toddlers, not routine adult use, and adequate pregnancy data are unavailable. A different pertussis-containing vaccine is used for maternal vaccination in the UK. If given inadvertently during pregnancy, UK guidance advises reassurance but notes that local reactions may be more likely because of its higher diphtheria-antigen content.
diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis (acellular), poliomyelitis (inactivated), hepatitis b (rDNA) and haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib) vaccine while breastfeeding
Infanrix hexa is not intended for routine adult use, and product-specific lactation data are unavailable. Breastfeeding is not generally a contraindication to non-live vaccines, but an adult needing vaccination should receive an age- and indication-appropriate product.
diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis (acellular), poliomyelitis (inactivated), hepatitis b (rDNA) and haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib) vaccine interactions
Relevant considerations include other vaccines and treatments that suppress immune function.
Immunosuppressive therapy
The immune response may be weaker, although immunosuppression is not itself a contraindication to this non-live vaccine.
Pneumococcal conjugate vaccines
They may be given at the same visit, but fever can occur more often than with Infanrix hexa alone.
Meningococcal B vaccine
Concomitant administration can increase fever, injection-site pain, irritability and reduced appetite, particularly when a pneumococcal vaccine is also given.
Common questions about diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis (acellular), poliomyelitis (inactivated), hepatitis b (rDNA) and haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib) vaccine
Answers are fully visible for fast scanning and source review.
Can a child have this vaccine with a mild cold?
A minor illness without fever or systemic upset is not normally a reason to delay vaccination. Acute severe illness with fever may require postponement.
Can it be given with other childhood vaccines?
Yes, several routine vaccines can be given at the same visit using separate injection sites. Some combinations can increase fever or local reactions.
Sources
These sources were used to prepare and review this medicine page.
Prepared and reviewed by the iatroX editorial team.