Pentacel - The Benefits of Pentacel: Confident

The Benefits of Pentacel Vaccine

Why Should I Switch to Pentacel vaccine?

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More than 14 million doses of Pentacel vaccine have been distributed during a decade of use in Canada.

Proven pertussis protection

Pentacel vaccine contains the same 5 acellular pertussis antigens, manufactured by the same process, as DAPTACEL^® (Diphtheria and Tetanus Toxoids and Acellular Pertussis Vaccine Absorbed). But Pentacel vaccine contains twice as much inactivated PT^a and 4 times as much FHA^b as DAPTACEL vaccine.¹

Pentacel vaccine offers comparable immunogenicity to separately administered DAPTACEL vaccine, ActHIB^® (Haemophilus b Conjugate Vaccine [Tetanus Toxoid Conjugate]), and IPOL^® (Poliovirus Vaccine Inactivated).¹ Pentacel vaccine:

Contains ActHIB vaccine which provides proven protection against invasive Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib) disease^2-4

Chart showing Rates of Antibody Responses

Chart showing Pertussis Seroprotection Rates

^aPT = Detoxified pertussis toxin.
^bFHA = Filamentous hemagglutinin.
^cNumber of subjects evaluated for antibody responses to each vaccine antigen ranges between 113-1097.¹
^dPRN = Pertactin.
^eFIM = Fimbriae types 2 and 3.
^fGMCs = Geometric mean antibody concentrations.

^g Noninferiority criterion is not met for anti-PRN GMCs post-dose 4 Pentacel vaccine relative to post-dose 4 DAPTACEL vaccine (upper limit of 90% confidence interval [CI] for GMC ratio [DAPTACEL/Pentacel vaccines] = 2.25).¹

^hNumber of subjects evaluated for antibody responses to Hib vaccine antigen ranges between 291-1128.¹
ⁱPRP = Polyribosylribitol-phosphate.

^j Percent achieving specified level following Pentacel vaccine not inferior to ActHIB vaccine (upper limit of 90% CI for difference in rates [ActHIB vaccine minus Pentacel vaccine] <10%).¹

^k Noninferiority criterion not met for percent achieving anti-PRP ≥1.0 μg/mL following Pentacel vaccine relative to ActHIB vaccine (upper limit of 90% CI for differences in rates [ActHIB vaccine minus Pentacel vaccine], 12.9%, exceeds the noninferiority criterion <10%).¹

^lHCPDT = Non-US licensed DTaP vaccine that is identical to the DTaP component of Pentacel vaccine.

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 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 accompanying full Prescribing Information.

This page last updated 04.17.2009

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