What is Pedvaxhib?

Commonly Used Brand Name(s)ActHIB, Hibtiter, Pedvaxhib

Therapeutic ClassificationsVaccine

OverviewTOP

Haemophilus b conjugate vaccine is an active immunizing agent that is used to prevent infection caused by the Haemophilus influenza type b (Hib) bacteria. The vaccine works by causing your body to produce its own protection (antibodies) against the disease.

Haemophilus b conjugate vaccine is prepared by adding a diphtheria, meningococcal, or tetanus-related substance to the process. However, this vaccine does not take the place of the regular vaccines for diphtheria, tetanus, or meningococcus that children and adults should receive. All of the haemophilus b conjugate vaccines work the same way, but they may be given at different ages or using a different schedule.

Infections with Haemophilus influenza type b (Hib) bacteria can cause life-threatening illnesses, such as meningitis (a brain disease), epiglottitis (a throat disease that can cause suffocation), pericarditis (a heart disease), pneumonia (a lung disease), and septic arthritis (a bone and joint disease). Hib meningitis may cause death or leave the child with serious and permanent damage, such as mental retardation, deafness, epilepsy, or partial blindness.

Haemophilus b conjugate vaccine is recommended for all children 2 months to 5 years of age (i.e., up to the 6th birthday).

The Hiberix® vaccine is used as a booster dose for children who have already received the primary series with a haemophilus b conjugate vaccine. The vaccine will "boost" or increase the protection that the child had from an earlier dose.

This vaccine is to be administered only by or under the direct supervision of your doctor.

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Proper UseTOP

A nurse or other trained health professional will give your child this vaccine. This vaccine is given as a shot into a muscle.

The exact schedule for your child's vaccines will vary depending on the brand of medicine used and your child's age at the time of the first dose. In general, your child will receive the first dose at 2 to 6 months of age, followed by 2 more doses at least 8 weeks apart. Your child will usually receive a booster dose at 15 to 18 months of age, although he or she can receive this medicine up until the age of 5 years.

It is important that your child receive all of the doses of vaccine in this series. Try to keep all of your scheduled appointments. If your child does miss a dose of this vaccine, make another appointment as soon as possible.

Your child may receive other vaccines at the same time as this one, but in a different body area. You should receive information sheets about all of the vaccines your child receives. Make sure you understand all of the information that is given to you.

Before UsingTOP

In deciding to use a vaccine, the risks of taking the vaccine must be weighed against the good it will do. This is a decision you and your doctor will make. For this vaccine, the following should be considered:

AllergiesTOP

Tell your doctor if you have ever had any unusual or allergic reaction to this medicine or any other medicines. Also tell your health care professional if you have any other types of allergies, such as to foods, dyes, preservatives, or animals. For non-prescription products, read the label or package ingredients carefully.

PediatricTOP

Appropriate studies performed to date have not demonstrated pediatric-specific problems that would limit the usefulness of the haemophilus b conjugate vaccine in children 2 months to 5 years of age. However, safety and efficacy have not been established in children 6 years of age and older and children younger than 2 months of age.

Appropriate studies performed to date have not demonstrated pediatric-specific problems that would limit the usefulness of the Hiberix® vaccine in children 15 months to 4 years of age. However, safety and efficacy have not been established in children 5 years of age and older and children younger than 15 months of age.

GeriatricTOP

The haemophilus b conjugate vaccine is not recommended for adult or geriatric patients.

PregnancyTOP

	Pregnancy Category	Explanation
All Trimesters	C	Animal studies have shown an adverse effect and there are no adequate studies in pregnant women OR no animal studies have been conducted and there are no adequate studies in pregnant women.

Breast FeedingTOP

Studies in women suggest that this medication poses minimal risk to the infant when used during breastfeeding.

Drug InteractionsTOP

Although certain medicines should not be used together at all, in other cases two different medicines may be used together even if an interaction might occur. In these cases, your doctor may want to change the dose, or other precautions may be necessary. Tell your healthcare professional if you are taking any other prescription or nonprescription (over-the-counter [OTC]) medicine.

Other InteractionsTOP

Certain medicines should not be used at or around the time of eating food or eating certain types of food since interactions may occur. Using alcohol or tobacco with certain medicines may also cause interactions to occur. Discuss with your healthcare professional the use of your medicine with food, alcohol, or tobacco.

PrecautionsTOP

It is very important that your child return to your doctor's office at the right time for each dose. Be sure to notify your doctor of any side effects that occur after your child receives this vaccine.

This vaccine may interfere with laboratory tests that check for Hib disease. Make sure your doctor knows that your child received the vaccine if a severe infection occurs during the 2 weeks after the vaccine is given.

Tell the doctor right away if your child is allergic to latex rubber. The vaccine syringes and vials may contain dry natural latex rubber. This may cause an allergic reaction in patients who are sensitive to latex.