Pentacel
Pentacel is a combination vaccine that protects your child from 5 infections: diphtheria, tetanus, and pertussis (collectively known as DTaP), as well as poliomyelitis (or polio) and Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib). This vaccine is a 4-dose series, typically given to children age 6 weeks to 4 years as injections into the muscle.
What is Pentacel?
What is Pentacel used for?
Prevention of:
- Diphtheria
- Tetanus
- Pertussis (whooping cough)
- Poliovirus
- Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib)
How Pentacel works
Pentacel is an inactivated vaccine that protects your child from 4 types of bacteria (Corynebacterium diphtheriae (diphtheria), Clostridium tetani (tetanus), Bordatella pertussis (pertussis or whooping cough), and Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib)), and 1 virus (poliovirus). The vaccine helps the body's immune system make antibodies that will attack these bacteria or virus if they ever infect your child.
Drug facts
Side effects of Pentacel
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
- Tenderness at injection site (39-56%)
- Lack of energy (24-46%)
- Redness at injection site (7-17%)
- Fever (5-16%)
- Swelling at injection site (5-10%)
Less Common Side Effects
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Low appetite
- Rash
Pentacel serious side effects
Contact your healthcare provider immediately if you experience any of the following.
- Serious allergic reactions: hives, rash, shaking, itching, nausea, flushing, dizziness, shortness of breath, chest pain
The following Pentacel 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
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 Pentacel
Pros
- More convenient since Pentacel is a combination vaccine
- Can be given with other vaccines
- Works well to prevent diphtheria, tetanus, whooping cough, polio, and Hib disease
- Doesn't contain latex
Cons
- Given as an injection into the muscle
- Must be given by a healthcare provider at an office, clinic, or pharmacy
- Only used for children 6 weeks to 4 years old
Pharmacist tips for Pentacel
- 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 Pentacel.
- If your child has any brain conditions, talk to your child's provider before receiving Pentacel 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 Pentacel and the signs or symptoms of your child's brain condition.
- Most people who receive Pentacel 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 Pentacel, to make sure they're receiving all their vaccines on schedule.
- Wait until your child is healthy to get Pentacel. 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 Pentacel. But if your child feels moderately to severely sick, wait until they recover before getting this vaccine. Ask your child's provider if you're not sure whether they can get this vaccine.
- If you experience a severe reaction to Pentacel, you or your provider can report it to the vaccine adverse event reporting system (VAERS) website or by calling 1-800-822-7967.
- Read the vaccine information statement for DTaP, polio, and Hib for more information.
Common questions about Pentacel
The Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) of the CDC recommends routine vaccination against DTaP, polio, and Hib for all children. Pentacel is a combination vaccine specifically for children age 6 weeks to 4 years who need to receive vaccination against DTaP, polio, and Hib. If your child has already received a dose from a DTaP, polio, and Hib-containing vaccine, they can receive Pentacel for certain doses of the primary vaccine series for DTaP, polio, and Hib. However, this depends on the manufacturer of the vaccine your child received and how many doses of each series your child has already received. Ask your child's provider or pharmacist to see if Pentacel is right for your child.
Ask your child's provider if your child needs any additional shots to complete their DTaP, polio, and Hib vaccination series. If your child received 4 doses of Pentacel for their primary series, your child will need to get one more shot with Daptacel (DTaP vaccine) between the ages of 4-6 years old to complete their DTaP vaccine series. Sometimes, your child's provider might also recommend an additional booster shot of the polio vaccine.
Yes, your child can receive Pentacel even if they've receive a different DTaP, polio, or Hib-containing vaccine before. The CDC recommends that your child stick with same brand of vaccine for their entire whooping cough vaccine series. But if that's not possible, it's okay to use a different brand of vaccine. For more information on whether your child can receive Pentacel, 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. Pentacel is a DTaP vaccine that also has polio and Hib vaccines in one shot.
It's important for your child to complete both the DTaP and polio vaccine series so they can be fully protected from diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis (whooping cough), polio, and Hib. These infections can cause severe complications, including death. If your child needs to complete the DTaP, polio, and Hib vaccine series, Pentacel is a good option since it's a combination vaccine, which means fewer shots and less pain for your child.
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Risks and warnings for Pentacel
Pentacel 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: Allergic reaction to other vaccines
As with any vaccine, there's a rare chance that your child might have a severe allergic reaction to Pentacel. 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, shaking, nausea, or chest pain.
Side effects from previous whooping cough vaccine
Tell your child's provider if your child has ever had side effects within 2-3 days after receiving a vaccine that contained the whooping vaccine. Symptoms could've included fever, fainting, nonstop crying that lasted at least 3 hours, or seizures with or without a fever. Your child's provider will decide whether Pentacel is a good option for them.
Lower response to Pentacel
- Risk factors: Medical conditions that weaken the immune system | Taking medications that lower your immune system
Pentacel might not work as well in people with a weakened immune system. This can put you at higher risk of diphtheria, tetanus, whooping cough, polio, and Hib even after you've received the vaccine. If your child has any medical conditions (e.g., HIV (human immunodeficiency disease) or cancer) or take medications that weaken your immune system (e.g., high-dose corticosteroids or transplant medications), talk to your child's provider before they receive Pentacel.
Fainting
- Risk factors: Fainting after vaccines in the past
Receiving injectable vaccines, such as Pentacel, can cause some people to faint. Early signs of fainting include changes in vision, 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 Pentacel, 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 Pentacel with your child's provider.
Guillain-Barre syndrome (GBS)
Although very rare, some people have reported getting GBS after they've received Pentacel. 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.
Pentacel dosage
Vial| Dosage | Quantity | Price as low as | Price per unit |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0.5ml | 2 vials | $134.83 | $67.42 |
Typical dosage for Pentacel
Pentacel is given as an injection into the thigh muscle for (children younger than 1 year of age) or shoulder muscle (children age 1 year and older).
- Primary series: The typical dose is a 4-dose series, given as 1 injection at age 2 months, 4 months, 6 months and 15-18 months. The first dose can be given as early as 6 weeks of age.
How much does Pentacel cost?
$134.83
Pentacel 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 Pentacel 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