Pentacel and Immunocompromised

• Generic Name: diphtheria toxoid / haemophilus b conjugate (prp-t) vaccine / pertussis, acellular / poliovirus vaccine, inactivated / tetanus toxoid
• Dosage Forms: injection
• Other Brand Names: Pentacel

Pentacel is a vaccine used to improve immunity against diphtheria, haemophilus influenzae type B, pertussis, polio, and tetanus, all serious diseases caused by bacteria or viruses.

Diphtheria causes a thick coating in the nose, throat, and airways. It can lead to breathing problems, paralysis, heart failure, or death.

Haemophilus B bacteria can infect the lungs or throat, and can also spread to the blood, bones, joints, brain, or spinal cord. It can cause breathing problems or meningitis, and these infections can be fatal.

Pertussis (whooping cough) causes coughing so severe that it interferes with eating, drinking, or breathing. These spells can last for weeks and can lead to pneumonia, seizures (convulsions), brain damage, and death.

Polio affects the central nervous system and spinal cord. It can cause muscle weakness and paralysis. Polio is a life threatening condition because it can paralyze the muscles that help you breathe.

Tetanus (lockjaw) causes painful tightening of the muscles, usually all over the body. It can lead to "locking" of the jaw so the victim cannot open the mouth or swallow. Tetanus leads to death in about 1 out of 10 cases.

Diphtheria, haemophilus B, pertussis, and polio are spread from person to person. Tetanus enters the body through a cut or wound.

Pentacel vaccine is used to help prevent these diseases in children who are ages 6 weeks through 4 years (before the 5th birthday).

Pentacel works by exposing your child to a small dose of the virus, bacteria or a protein from the bacteria, which causes the body to develop immunity to the disease. Pentacel will not treat an active infection that has already developed in the body.

Like any vaccine, the Pentacel may not provide protection from disease in every person.