Pentacel vaccine—the only DTaP-IPVa combination containing Hibb vaccine1

Pentacel vaccine offers protection in 4 doses (with a DTaP booster at 4-6 years of age).1,2,8-10

When you administer the Pentacel vaccine 4-dose series, you provide effective protection, the convenience of a combination vaccine at 2, 4, 6, and 15-18 months of age, and safety you and parents can rely on.1

Help protect with Pentacel vaccine
Pentacel vaccine is the first pediatric pentavalent combination vaccine in the United States to contain the same 5 acellular pertussis antigens found in DAPTACEL®c vaccine1

• Pentacel and DAPTACEL vaccines contain the same pertussis antigens manufactured by the same process, but Pentacel vaccine contains twice as much inactivated PTd and 4 times as much FHAe as DAPTACEL vaccine1

May reduce the number of injections you give children and help enhance compliance
Pentacel vaccine contains a Hib component and fits easily into the primary series at 2, 4, and 6 months of age, with a booster at 15-18 months of age.2,3 It also helps you maximize shot savings within the first 2 years of life.2,3

Administering a combination such as Pentacel vaccine may enhance timeliness and compliance at the fourth dose.3,4 This is important because a 2009 National Immunization Survey showed that by 24 months of age, 1 in 5 children did not receive all 4 recommended doses of DTaP vaccine.5

Pentacel vaccine is approved for use in infants and children 6 weeks through 4 years of age (prior to fifth birthday) as a 4-dose series at 2, 4, 6, and 15-18 months of age.1 Children should receive a fifth dose of DTaP at 4-6 years of age.2

Rely on safety established in over 5000 infants
In clinical trials, fever and local and systemic reactions were reported at similar rates compared with separately administered DAPTACEL, ActHIB®f, and IPOL®g vaccines.1 Most cases of fever were mild to moderate.1

In clinical trials, the most common local and systemic adverse reactions to Pentacel vaccine included injection site redness, swelling, and tenderness; fever, fussiness, and crying.1

Pentacel vaccine safety was established in an ethnically diverse population of over 5000 infants 2 to 18 months of age.1

Over a decade of immunization experience
As of January 2011, more than 25 million doses of Pentacel vaccine have been distributed in North America.11

Take advantage of the benefits of Pentacel vaccine: immunogenicity, convenience, and safety. Add Pentacel vaccine to your immunization schedule today.

Learn more about Pentacel vaccine. Find all the details in the Pentacel vaccine Prescribing Information.

a DTaP = Diphtheria, tetanus, and acellular pertussis; IPV = Inactivated poliovirus.  b Hib = Haemophilus influenzae type b.  c DAPTACEL (Diphtheria and Tetanus Toxoids and Acellular Pertussis Vaccine Adsorbed).  d PT = Pertussis toxin detoxified.  e FHA = Filamentous hemagglutinin.  f ActHIB (Haemophilus b Conjugate Vaccine [Tetanus Toxoid Conjugate]).  g IPOL (Poliovirus Vaccine Inactivated).

Indication
Pentacel vaccine is indicated for active immunization against diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis, poliomyelitis, and invasive disease due to Haemophilus influenzae type b. Pentacel vaccine is approved for use as a 4-dose series in children 6 weeks through 4 years of age (prior to fifth birthday).

Safety Information
The most common local and systemic adverse reactions to Pentacel vaccine include injection site redness, swelling, and tenderness; fever, fussiness, and crying. Other adverse reactions may occur. Known systemic hypersensitivity reaction to any component of Pentacel vaccine or a life-threatening reaction after previous administration of the vaccine or a vaccine containing the same substances are contraindications to vaccination.

The decision to give Pentacel vaccine should be based on the potential benefits and risks; if Guillain-Barré syndrome has occurred within 6 weeks of receipt of a prior vaccine containing tetanus toxoid; or if adverse events have occurred in temporal relation to receipt of pertussis-containing vaccine. Encephalopathy within 7 days of administration of a previous dose of a pertussis-containing vaccine or a progressive neurologic disorder is a contraindication. Vaccination with Pentacel vaccine may not protect all individuals.

Before administering Pentacel vaccine, please see the full Prescribing Information.

Pentacel vaccine is manufactured by Sanofi Pasteur Limited and Sanofi Pasteur SA and distributed by Sanofi Pasteur Inc.