Pediarix
Pediarix is a combination vaccine that protects your child from infections due to diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis (collectively also known as DTaP), hepatitis B, and poliomyelitis (or polio). This vaccine is a 3-dose series, typically given to children ages 6 weeks to 6 years old as injections into the muscle.
What is Pediarix?
What is Pediarix used for?
Prevention of:
- Diphtheria
- Tetanus
- Pertussis (whooping cough)
- Hepatitis B
- Poliovirus
How Pediarix works
Pediarix is an inactivated vaccine that protects your child from three types of bacteria (Corynebacterium diphtheriae (diphtheria), Clostridium tetani (tetanus), and Bordetella pertussis (pertussis), and two viruses (hepatitis B virus and poliovirus). The vaccine helps your child's immune system make antibodies that will attack these bacteria or viruses if they ever infect your child.
Drug facts
Side effects of Pediarix
The following side effects may get better over time as your body gets used to the medication. Let your healthcare provider know immediately if you continue to experience these symptoms or if they worsen over time.
Common Side Effects
The following side effects occurred in at least 25% of people who received Pediarix:
- Pain at injection site
- Redness at injection site
- Swelling at injection site
- Fever
- Drowsiness
- Irritability
- Loss of appetite
Less Common Side Effects
- Diarrhea
- Vomiting
- Restlessness
- Trouble sleeping
- Rash
Pediarix serious side effects
Contact your healthcare provider immediately if you experience any of the following.
- Serious allergic reaction: rash, nausea, dizziness, shortness of breath, chest pain, swelling of lips, tongue, throat, or face
The following Pediarix side effects have also been reported
Side effects that you should report to your care team as soon as possible:
- Allergic reactions—skin rash, itching, hives, swelling of the face, lips, tongue, or throat
- Feeling faint or lightheaded
- High fever
Side effects that usually do not require medical attention (report these to your care team if they continue or are bothersome):
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Pros and cons of Pediarix
Pros
- More convenient since Pediarix is a combination vaccine
- Can be given with other vaccines
- Works well to prevent diphtheria, tetanus, whooping cough, hepatitis B, and polio
Cons
- Can only be given as an injection into the muscle
- Must be given by a healthcare provider at an office, clinic, or pharmacy
- Not the best option for people allergic to latex (tip caps of the prefilled syringes are made with latex)
Pharmacist tips for Pediarix
- Read the vaccine information statement for DTaP, hepatitis B, and polio for more information.
- Let your child's provider know if your child has a history of seizures. Sometimes, a fever that results from a vaccine can trigger seizures. Your child's provider might recommend that your child take medication to lower fevers (e.g., acetaminophen (Tylenol) or ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin)) before and for up to 1 day after receiving the vaccine to lower the risk of fever and seizures from Pediarix.
- If your child has a brain condition, talk to your child's provider before receiving Pediarix to make sure it's right for them. Your child's provider might hold off on giving your child the vaccine because there can be confusion between the side effects of Pediarix and the signs or symptoms of your child's brain condition.
- Most people who receive Pediarix don't have any serious side effects. Side effects are generally mild and should go away on their own in a few days.
- Make sure to keep a record of all your child's immunizations and show it to your child's provider or pharmacist before receiving any vaccine, including Pediarix, to make sure they're receiving all their vaccines on schedule.
- Wait until your child is healthy to get Pediarix. This will help make sure their immune system protects them as best as it can. If your child has a mild sickness, such as a cold or low-grade fever, they can still get Pediarix. But if your child feels moderately to severely sick, wait until they recover. Ask your child's provider if you're not sure whether they can get this vaccine.
- If your child experiences a severe reaction to Pediarix, you or your child's provider can report it to the vaccine adverse event reporting system (VAERS) website or by calling 1-800-822-7967.
Common questions about Pediarix
The Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends routine vaccination against DTaP, hepatitis B, and polio for all children. Pediarix is a combination vaccine for children age 6 weeks up until 7 years who need to receive the first 3 doses of the DTaP, hepatitis B, and polio vaccine series.
It's important for your child to complete the DTaP, hepatitis B, and polio vaccine series so they can be fully protected from diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis (whooping cough), hepatitis B, and polio. These infections can cause severe complications, including death. If your child needs to complete the DTaP, hepatitis B, and polio vaccine series, Pediarix is a good option since it's a combination vaccine, which means fewer shots and less pain for your child.
Three doses of Pediarix is enough to complete the hepatitis B vaccine series, but your child will need to get additional vaccines to complete their DTaP and polio vaccine series. Please ask your child's provider what specific vaccines your child still needs to get. Be sure to tell their provider that your child has received Pediarix because this can affect what other vaccines their provider recommends to complete their DTaP and polio series.
Your child might be able to receive Pediarix if they've already received a different DTaP, hepatitis B, or polio-containing vaccine. But it depends on how many doses your child has already received and which manufacturer(s) the vaccines are from. For example, if your child received 1 or 2 doses of Infanrix (DTaP vaccine), they can get Pediarix to complete the first 3 doses in the series, since the DTaP components are the same. But it isn't known if children who received 1 or more doses of a DTaP vaccine from a different manufacturer can safely get Pediarix. For more information on whether your child can receive Pediarix, contact your child's provider or pharmacist.
There are many different vaccines available in the United States that help protect against diphtheria, tetanus, and pertussis. In general, upper-case letters in the abbreviations mean full-strength doses of each part of the vaccine, whereas lower-case letters mean lower-strength doses. The Tdap and DTaP vaccines protect against all three infections (diphtheria, tetanus, and pertussis). On the other hand, the DT and Td vaccines only protect against tetanus and diphtheria. The DTaP and DT vaccines are for babies and young children who need full-strength doses to build up protection, whereas the Tdap and Td vaccines are recommended for older children and adults. Pediarix is a DTaP vaccine that also has hepatitis B and polio vaccines in one shot.
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Risks and warnings for Pediarix
Pediarix can cause some serious health issues. This risk may be even higher for certain groups. If this worries you, talk to your doctor or pharmacist about other options.
Severe allergic reactions
- Risk factors: Latex allergy | Allergic reaction to other vaccines
As with any vaccine, there's a rare chance that your child might have a severe allergic reaction to Pediarix. The risk is higher if your child is allergic to latex since the tip caps of the prefilled syringes are made with natural rubber latex. Your provider might ask you and your child to stay at the pharmacy or clinic for a short period of time after you've received your vaccine to make sure your child can get proper care in case of a serious allergic reaction. Sometimes, these reactions can happen after you've already left the clinic. Get medical help right away if you notice symptoms of a severe allergic reaction, such as feeling faint, swelling of the face, closing of the throat, difficulty breathing, hives or rash, dizziness, nausea, or chest pain.
Higher risk of fever
Pediarix might raise your child's risk of developing a fever compared to receiving the vaccines separately. Monitor your child for fever after they get this vaccine, and ask your child's provider which medications you can give to them if needed.
Side effects from another whooping cough vaccine
Tell your child's provider or pharmacist if your child has ever had side effects within 2-3 days after receiving a pertussis vaccine, such as high fever (105 degrees F or higher), fainting, continuous crying lasting at least 3 hours, or seizures with or without a fever.
Lower response to Pediarix
- Risk factors: Medical conditions or taking medications that weaken the immune system
Pediarix might not work as well in people with a weakened immune system. This can raise the risk of getting diphtheria, tetanus, and whooping cough, even after you've received the vaccine. If your child has any medical conditions (e.g., HIV (human immunodeficiency virus) or cancer) or takes medications that weaken the immune system (e.g., high-dose corticosteroids or transplant medications), talk to your child's provider before they receive Pediarix.
Fainting
- Risk factors: Fainting after vaccines in the past
Fainting is associated with injectable vaccines, such as Pediarix. Signs of fainting include changes in vision, a tingling sensation, and stiffening or twitching of your arms and legs. Let your child's provider know if your child has fainted after vaccines in the past so they can be monitored.
Breathing issues (apnea) in premature babies
- Risk factors: Premature birth
Vaccines that are injected into the muscle, like Pediarix, can raise the risk of apnea in babies who were born prematurely. This is a condition where babies have a temporary pause in their breathing, with or without a slowed heart rate or low oxygen level. If your baby was born prematurely, be sure to discuss the benefits and risks of receiving Pediarix with your child's provider.
Guillain-Barre syndrome (GBS)
Although very rare, some people have reported getting GBS after they've received vaccines containing tetanus toxoid-like Pediarix. GBS is a rare condition that causes muscle weakness and paralysis. Let your child's provider know right away if your child has experienced these symptoms, especially if it occurred within 6 weeks of receiving a tetanus toxoid-containing vaccine.
Pediarix dosage
Syringe| Dosage | Quantity | Price as low as | Price per unit |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0.5ml | 1 syringe | $87.00 | $87.00 |
Typical dosage for Pediarix
Pediarix is given as an injection into the thigh muscle (children younger than 1 year of age) or shoulder muscle (children 1 year and older) by a healthcare provider.
- Primary series: This vaccine is typically a 3-dose series, given as 1 injection at age 2 months, 4 months, and 6 months. The first dose can be given as early as 6 weeks of age.
Note: Please see FAQs for more details about the use of Pediarix outside of the primary vaccine schedule.
How much does Pediarix cost?
$87.00
Pediarix contraindications
Contraindications are specific health conditions or situations in which a person should not take a medication due to safety concerns. If you have any of the following conditions or if any of the following apply to you, let your healthcare provider know because Pediarix will not be safe for you to take.
- Brain problem: Having seizures for a long time, not able to respond normally, or having a coma within 7 days of a previous dose of a pertussis-containing vaccine
- Progressive seizure disorders: Having seizures for a long time after receiving a previous dose of a pertussis-containing vaccine
Pediarix images
