Vaxtar-5
Protect yourself from five conditions
Vaxtar-5 is a sterile, turbid white uniform suspension of purified Diptheria, Tetanus toxoid, Pertussia, Hepatitis B, and Hemophilus influenzae type-B (HiB). It is available in single (1 dose of 0.5mL vial) as well as multiple doses (10 dose vial of 5mL).
Indications: This vaccine is widely indicated against diphtheria, tetanus, whooping cough, hepatitis B, and Hib infections.
Dose administration: In infants and pre-school children Vaxtar-5 is administered intramuscularly at a dose of 0.5mL with an interval of four weeks between doses starting at six weeks of age. In some countries, where the risk of perinatal HBV infection is high, the first dose of hepatitis B vaccine is given immediately after birth. A booster dose of DTP and Hib is administered at the age of 15 to 18 months. A reinforcing booster dose of DTP can be administered at the age of five years.
Vaxtar-5 should be administered at other site if co-administered with other injections.
Adverse effects:
Administration of vaxtar-5 may cause certain common side effects, such as:
- Pain, swelling, warmth, and redness at the site of injection
- Fever
- Irritability
- Unusual crying
- Loss of appetite
- Vomiting
- Drowsiness
Rarely, vaxtar-5 may cause certain neurological complications like cochlear lesion, brachial plexus neuropathies, encephalopathy, and paralysis. Prolonged convulsions is the severe neurological side effect associated with vaxtar-5.
- Vaxtar-5 would not be effective if the child is already exposed to hepatitis B virus for long-term.
- Inform the doctor if the child has experienced fever (>40.0°C), shock, persistent crying, and convulsions with or without fever within 48 hours after the administration of vaxtar-5.
- Children with any coagulation disorders, such as thrombocytopenia are ineligible for vaxtar-5, unless the potential benefits outweighs the risks.
- Infants or children with a family history of convulsions are at higher risk of neurological events and permanent neurological damage than children without such history.
- Precautions to prevent the risk of adverse events associated with this vaccine must be taken before receiving this vaccine.
- The parents must inform about their family history and health status of the child to the doctor before going for vaccination.
Vaxtar-5 must be used with caution in patients who are taking anti-coagulants, immunosuppressants, corticosteroids, and anti-cancer drugs.
Vaxtar 5 is contraindicated if:
- Hypersensitive to any components present in the vaccine
- Anaphylactic reaction with a previous dose
- Encephalopathy
- Neurological condition
Vaxtar-5 should be avoided in infants and children with severe febrile illness until recovery. However, children with minor conditions, such as upper respiratory tract infections with or without low-grade fever can receive this vaccine.