How Safe Pentavac Vaccine for Babies ? - Diagnose Side-effects Signs, Doses

In 2009, The World Health Organization (WHO) had established a panel of international experts to examine the pentavalent (5-in-1) vaccine and it was concluded that the vaccine is safe. Post which the pentavalent vaccination was introduced by SriLanka followed by few states in India. The Pentavalent vaccine fights against childhood diseases like diphtheria, pertussis, tetanus, Hepatitis B, pneumonia & meningitis. The vaccine has been included in the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare’s latest addition to the immunisation programme.

Pentavalent Vaccine in Controversial News !!

But later on this vaccine was taken by a storm of doubts in March’18 when few children reported to have died after giving pentavac vaccine shot.

Considering the above facts, our suggestion to parents would be to read and consult each bit of pentavalent vaccine related info and consult your paediatrician before giving Penta 1 & 2 immunization to your babies.

Pentavalent vaccine – How Safe and Effective is it in India?

A pentavalent vaccine (5-in-1 vaccine) is a combination vaccine with five individual vaccines conjugated into one. The vaccination is intended to actively protect children from multiple diseases. Pentavalent vaccine combines five different vaccines in a single dose. It protects against five diseases: diphtheria, pertussis (whooping cough), tetanus, hepatitis B and Haemophilus influenza type B(Hib). Pentavalent vaccine is a successor to the diphtheria – tetanus –pertussis (DTP) vaccine.

Pentavalent vaccines are one of the most cost-effective, advantageous interventions in the india's health system. It costs a little, although, it presents enormous benefits for the health and well – being of populations.

Vaccine Ingredients

A pentavalent vaccine consists of following ingredients...

1. A small amount of aluminium which strengthens and lengthens the immune response to the vaccine.
2. Sodium chloride (salt)
3. Polysorbate, used as an emulsifier (to hold other ingredients together)
4. Lactose and Medium 199 (containing amino acids, mineral salts and vitamins), both used as stabilisers (Infanrix IPV+Hib only)
5. A very small amount of phenol, used as a preservative (Pediacel only).

Penta 1 & 2 Safety and Efficacy and Cost

In various studies and tests, the conjugated liquid “DTPw-HepB-Hib” (scientific terminology) vaccine was found to have positive safety when administered as a booster to young children. These children have been given a vaccination course with another pentavalent booster that requires a change in constitution and was also found to be adequately immunogenic.

Pentavalent vaccines bring in 85% to 95% protection after completion of this pentavalent vaccine schedule. The penta 1 & 2 vaccination also reduces nasopharyngeal carriage of the H. influenzae (disease spreading bacteria) , leading to substantially greater reduction in disease transmission and incidence. A single dose of the vaccine will cost around INR 550-600. The vaccine comes in a vial which has 10 doses in it. As a parent ensure that the syringe is bought from a trusted source and is seal packed each time the dosage is given to your infant.

Pentavalent Immunization Side effects

Some of the common but not serious side-effects of the pentavac vaccine are as given below.. 

1. redness, tenderness and/or swelling at the injection site
2. raised temperature (fever)
3. irritability
4. sickness
5. diarrhoea
6. loss of appetite

A feverish child can be cooled with a tepid sponge or bath, and by wearing cool clothing. Extra fluids need to be given to feverish children. For the local reaction, a cold cloth applied to the site may ease the pain. Also, upon the paediatrician review and advise paracetamol, at a dose of up to 15mg/kg every 6–8 hours with a maximum of four doses in 24 hours can be given for the common minor reactions. It eases pain and reduces fever.

Pentavac Side-effects Signs and Symptoms

If at all the child is ill and shows the above listed symptoms. Some of the rare but serious pentavac side effects are:

1. High temperatures

2. Fits (also called convulsions or febrile seizures)

3. Unusual high-pitched screaming and hypotonic-hypo responsive episodes (HHE). Leading the child to become blue, pale or limp.

Ideal Penta 1 & 2 Vaccine Injection Dosages

As per the National Immunization Schedule, three doses of pentavalent vaccine are to be administered at 6, 10 and 14 weeks of age. The Dose includes 0.5 ml injection using AD syringes.

In case you have missed Pentavalent Vaccine

In the case you have missed the dosage of the Pentavalent vaccine, please get in touch with your paediatrician. The dosages are designed to bring in immunisation in early days of infancy leading to the building of antibodies to fight these 5 diseases. Hence, do consult your paediatrician for further queries. You can also refer to these WHO FAQ list for further queries.

Disclaimer: The above article is written in the light of helping parents to know more about the subject. In the above case, its “Pentavalent Vaccines”. Parentune still suggests to take a professional advise from a certified paediatrician before any vaccination/immunisation to the child.