Vaccine Combo

CEBU, Philippines - Parents or guardians are advised to ask pediatricians about the 5-in-1 DTaP

(Diphtheria, Tetanus and Pertussis), IPV (Inactivated Polio Vaccine), and Hib combination vaccine to find better protection for babies against five serious diseases.

In its information campaign, Sanofi Pasteur, the vaccines division of Sanofi-Aventis Group, called on parents and guardians to have their babies vaccinated. “Right protection means the right vaccination given at the right schedule,” Sanofi stressed in a statement.

“From two months of age, vaccination can be started against five serious diseases, with a combination vaccine that is safe and convenient,” Sanofi Pasteur added.

These five deadly diseases are:

• Diphtheria – a disease caused by a bacterium that is usually transmitted through sneezing and coughing. It is usually manifested by a serious throat infection that can lead to heart and nervous system complications. Many countries have said to have controlled the incidence of this disease through vaccination.

• Tetanus – due to an organism found in soil. The tetanus bacillus usually penetrates through contaminated wound. It produces a toxic substance that attacks the neurological system and results in stiffening of muscles throughout the body. Tetanus can be fatal, Sanofi Pasteur warned.

• Haemophilus Influenzae Type B (Hib) – Hib infections are due to a bacterium that can cause diseases like meningitis and pneumonia especially in young children. Before the availability of a vaccine against this disease, it was the main organism responsible for meningitis in children less than five years of age, often leading to serious complications. In some countries, Hib is still a major cause of pneumonia.

• Poliomyelitis – a serious disease caused by three types of polio virus. It can lead to paralysis of the arms, the legs and even the respiratory muscles. Since the development of vaccines against poliomyelitis, the incidence of this disease has significantly decreased, this was reported by the World Health Organization. There are two types of polio vaccines: the Oral Polio Vaccine and the Inactivated Polio Vaccine. OPV uses a live, but weakened, polio strain, and is given as oral drops. IPV uses an inactivated or killed polio strain to create the vaccine, and is given as part of a combination vaccine. Because IPV uses an inactivated version of the polio strain, it has guaranteed zero risk of causing disease arising from a live version of the polio vaccine.

• Pertussis – a respiratory infection that is very contagious and caused by a bacterium. This disease can be fatal especially in children less than six months of age. Vaccination has significantly decreased the incidence of this disease but has not completely eradicated it. Recently, outbreaks of pertussis have been reported affecting infants less than six months of age and young adults. The latter can infect infants who are not yet protected through vaccination. There are two types of DTP vaccine: whole-cell DTP vaccine, and a newer type of vaccine called acellular DTP vaccine. Whole-cell DTP vaccine uses the whole pertussis organism, which has been inactivated and combined with the diphtheria and tetanus parts of the vaccines to make the whole-cell DTP vaccine. Acellular DTP vaccine contains only small and purified parts of the pertussis organism which are needed to provide protection. Because acellular DTP vaccine uses a purified version of the pertussis strain, there is a 2/3 reduction on side effects and discomfort, versus the older DTP vaccine. There are much fewer reported symptoms of redness, fever, tenderness, and loss of appetite in patients injected with this vaccine, Sanofi Pasteur added.

“Choose a 5-in-1 combination vaccine that offers protection from five serious diseases and has a convenient immunization schedule. The ideal combination vaccine should also follow the preferred Hepatitis B vaccination schedule given at zero, one and six months,” Sanofi Pasteur further said as a healthy reminder. (FREEMAN)