Comvax Uses

A combination vaccine, Comvax offers protection against Hib bacteria and hepatitis B. Hib can cause diseases such as pneumonia, bacterial meningitis, and arthritis. The vaccine is approved for use in children ages 6 weeks to 15 months. In some cases, a healthcare provider may recommend off-label Comvax uses -- for example, as a catch-up vaccine for those over 15 months of age.

What Is Comvax Used For?

Comvax® (Hib vaccine and hepatitis B vaccine) is a routine childhood vaccination. It is a combination vaccine that provides protection again both hepatitis B and invasive disease caused by the Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib) bacteria. Invasive Hib diseases include:
 
  • Bacterial meningitis (a life-threatening infection of the brain and spinal cord covering)
  • Pneumonia
  • Epiglottitis (a type of severe throat infection)
  • Skin infections
  • Arthritis
  • Bone infections
  • Endocarditis (infection of the inner lining of the heart)
  • Bloodstream infections.
     
Comvax is approved for children between the ages of 6 weeks and 15 months. It should be noted that the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) recommends that all infants receive a hepatitis B vaccine shortly after birth, preferably while still in the hospital -- this is especially important for infants born to mothers with hepatitis B.
 
Comvax cannot be used for this early vaccination. However, the full recommended series (all three doses) can still be given at the usual times, even if an infant gets a hepatitis B vaccine at birth (this means the infant will receive one more hepatitis B vaccine dose than necessary).
 
Comvax Uses Article Continues on Next Page >
Written by/reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD; Arthur Schoenstadt, MD
Last reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD
 
Other Articles in This eMedTV Presentation
Referring Pages Articles