No, Infanrix Hexa Cannot Substitute for MMR Vaccine
Infanrix Hexa cannot be used as a substitute for the MMR (Measles, Mumps, Rubella) vaccine because it does not contain any measles, mumps, or rubella antigens—these are completely different vaccines protecting against different diseases. 1, 2, 3
What Infanrix Hexa Actually Contains
Infanrix Hexa is a hexavalent vaccine that protects against six diseases: 2, 3
- Diphtheria
- Tetanus
- Pertussis (whooping cough)
- Hepatitis B
- Poliomyelitis (polio)
- Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib)
Infanrix Hexa does cover the DTP component (diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis) but provides zero protection against measles, mumps, or rubella. 2, 3
What Children Actually Need
At age 4-6 years, children require: 4
- Fifth dose of DTaP (which Infanrix Hexa could theoretically provide if used off-label, though it's licensed only for infants aged ≤6 months) 2, 3
- Fourth dose of IPV (polio—also in Infanrix Hexa) 4
- Second dose of MMR (NOT in Infanrix Hexa) 4
- Second dose of varicella vaccine (NOT in Infanrix Hexa) 4
Critical Clinical Caveat
The Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices explicitly warns against substituting a hexavalent vaccine for vaccines with different antigen compositions, as this results in missing protection against required diseases. 1 Using Infanrix Hexa instead of MMR would leave children completely unprotected against measles, mumps, and rubella—diseases that can cause serious morbidity and mortality. 5
Proper Vaccine Administration
MMR vaccine must be administered as a separate injection and cannot be replaced by any combination vaccine that lacks measles, mumps, and rubella antigens. 5 The MMR vaccine can be given simultaneously with DTaP-containing vaccines at different anatomic sites without compromising immune responses or increasing adverse events. 5
For the 4-6 year visit, use DTaP-IPV combination vaccines (Kinrix or Quadracel) for the DTaP and polio components, but MMR must still be given as a separate injection. 4