OVERVIEW
• Pentavalent Vaccine is a vaccine that is used to immunize against five major and deadly
• childhood diseases namely diphtheria, pertussis, tetanus (DPT), and hepatitis B and Haemophilus influenzae type b).
• It contains 5 antigens and hence the name (DPT – HepB – Hib)
• Hepatitis B vaccine protects against severe liver disease including liver cancer
• The addition of Hib protects against H influenzae meningitis, septicemia and pneumonia
• Pentavalent can be given to any baby between the ages of six weeks to one year of age

ADVANTAGES OF PENTAVALENT VACCINE
• The vaccine does not require to be reconstituted
• In the pentavalent vaccine schedule followed in the UIP (universal immunization program), the number of injections has reduced from nine to six
• Safe and wider coverage achieved quickly and cheaply
• Less pain and inconvenience for babies

PENTAVALENT VACCINE SCHEDULE
• Three doses of Pentavalent vaccine are given in UIP
• The first dose is given at six weeks of age. The second and third doses are administered at 10 and 14 weeks of age respectively
• There is no booster dose under the UIP for the Pentavalent vaccine

CONTRAINDICATIONS TO PENTAVALENT VACCINE
• Age below six weeks
• Vaccine initiated with DPT and HepB will continue with the same schedule (not Pentavalent vaccine)
• History of allergic reactions to earlier injections
• Moderate or severe illness and to wait until the condition gets better(minor URIs not a contraindication)