What combination of vaccines is Pendacel (diphtheria, tetanus, and pertussis (DTP) vaccine, polio vaccine, and Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib) vaccine)?

Pentacel Vaccine Composition

Pentacel is a combination vaccine that contains diphtheria and tetanus toxoids and acellular pertussis adsorbed (DTaP), inactivated poliovirus (IPV), and Haemophilus influenzae type b conjugate (tetanus toxoid conjugate) vaccine (Hib). 1

Detailed Components of Pentacel

Pentacel combines five different vaccines into a single formulation:

1. Diphtheria toxoid
2. Tetanus toxoid
3. Acellular pertussis antigens (including inactivated pertussis toxin [PT], filamentous hemagglutinin [FHA], pertactin, and fimbriae types 2 and 3)
4. Inactivated poliovirus (types 1,2, and 3)
5. Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib) conjugate (polyribosyl-ribitol-phosphate [PRP] covalently bound to tetanus toxoid)

The vaccine is supplied as a two-component product:

• The DTaP-IPV component is provided as a sterile liquid
• The Hib component (ActHIB) is provided as a lyophilized powder
• The DTaP-IPV liquid is used to reconstitute the Hib component before administration 1

Clinical Use and Administration

Pentacel is licensed for use in children aged 6 weeks through 4 years as a four-dose series administered at:

• 2 months
• 4 months
• 6 months
• 15-18 months 1

It's important to note that Pentacel is not licensed for use in children aged 5 years or older and is not indicated for the booster dose at age 4-6 years. However, if inadvertently administered to children older than 5 years, it should be counted as a valid dose 1.

Comparison to Other Combination Vaccines

Pentacel (DTaP-IPV/Hib) differs from other available combination vaccines:

• Pediarix (DTaP-IPV-HepB): Contains hepatitis B instead of Hib
• Kinrix (DTaP-IPV): Does not contain Hib, used as fifth dose at age 4-6 years
• Quadracel (DTaP-IPV): Does not contain Hib, used as fifth dose at age 4-6 years 1

Immunogenicity and Safety

Clinical studies have demonstrated that:

• The immunologic responses after the third or fourth dose of Pentacel are generally comparable to those following separately administered component vaccines 1
• The frequency of adverse events is similar to that observed with separately administered vaccines 1
• The vaccine has a favorable safety profile with mostly minor adverse events 2

Advantages of Pentacel

Using Pentacel provides several benefits:

• Reduces the number of injections needed during infancy (by up to 7 injections over the full series) 3
• Improves vaccination coverage and compliance 2
• Provides a cost-effective strategy for protecting against multiple diseases with fewer clinic visits 2

Important Considerations

• Components of Pentacel should not be administered separately 1
• Pentacel does not contain thimerosal 1
• The vaccine can be administered simultaneously with other childhood vaccines without compromising immunogenicity or safety 2
• It is contraindicated in children with known hypersensitivity to any component of the vaccine or who had a severe reaction to a previous dose 2

Pentacel has been a significant advancement in childhood immunization, allowing protection against five major childhood diseases while reducing the number of injections required in the immunization schedule.