(Click Pediarix Uses for more information on what the medication is used for, including possible off-label uses.)
Reformulation of the Vaccine
The currently available Pediarix vaccine is slightly different from the previous version. This new reformulated version now contains no thimerosal (a mercury-containing preservative) or other preservatives. Parents who are concerned about exposing their children to thimerosal can be confident that this vaccine has no thimerosal (not even trace amounts).
Some parents are concerned about aluminum content of vaccines; Pediarix contains no more than 0.85 mg of aluminum per dose. This vaccine is not made from human fetal components or animal components, as some vaccines are. However, it is made from bovine (cow) and monkey components.
Pediarix is made by GlaxoSmithKline Biologicals.
This vaccine contains several different components. It contains tetanus and diphtheria toxoids, pertussis and hepatitis B antigens, and an inactivated (killed) polio virus. None of the components of this vaccine are "live," meaning that Pediarix cannot cause diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis, hepatitis B, or polio. This is especially important for polio, since a different polio vaccine (the oral polio vaccine) can rarely actually cause polio.
Simply stated, the components of this vaccine work by "tricking" the body into thinking it has been exposed to these different infections. The body produces antibodies that will help fight the infections if future exposure occurs.
When and How to Get Your Child Vaccinated
Some general considerations include the following:
- This vaccine is typically given as three doses with six to eight weeks (preferably eight weeks) between doses. Ideally, the first dose is given at two months of age, although it can be given to newborns as young as six weeks old.
- If your child has already received doses of DTaP, a hepatitis vaccine, or a polio vaccine, a modified Pediarix dosing schedule (perhaps with fewer doses) may be recommended.
- This vaccine is injected into a muscle (intramuscularly), usually in the thigh. In older children, the upper arm can be used.
- Children can be vaccinated if they have a minor illness, such as the common cold. However, the vaccine should be postponed if your child is moderately or severely ill.
Pediarix Dosing Information
There is only one standard recommended dosage for this vaccine, although the exact vaccination schedule may vary, depending on which vaccines the child has previously received. Because the three recommended doses of Pediarix do not fully complete the recommended vaccine series for DTaP and polio, additional vaccinations (with the individual components, not this combination vaccine) may be recommended.
As with any vaccine, Pediarix may cause side effects. However, not everyone who receives the vaccine will experience side effects. In fact, most children tolerate it well, with only minor side effects (if any).
If side effects do occur, in most cases, they are minor and either require no treatment or can easily be treated by you or your healthcare provider. Serious side effects are less common.
Some of the most common side effects include, but are not limited to:
- Fussiness or irritability
- Drowsiness
- Loss of appetite
- Injection site reactions such as pain, swelling, or redness
- Fever.
(Click Pediarix Side Effects to learn more, including potentially serious side effects that you should report immediately to your healthcare provider.)
Drug Interactions With Pediarix
What Should I Tell My Child's Healthcare Provider?
You should talk to a healthcare provider before your child receives this vaccine if your child has:
- An immune-suppressing condition such as HIV or AIDS, diabetes, or cancer
- A bleeding disorder
- Had any sort of a reaction to any vaccine in the past
- A moderate or severe illness
- A brain or nervous system disorder
- Any allergies, including allergies to foods, dyes, or preservatives.
Make sure to tell the healthcare provider about all the medicines your child is taking, including prescription and non-prescription medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements.
Pediarix should be stored in the refrigerator. The vaccine should never be frozen.
The vaccine is available in 0.5 mL single-use vials or disposable prefilled syringes (without needles).
Is There a Generic Version of Pediarix?
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