Some commonly used brand names are:

In the U.S.—

In Canada—

Other commonly used names are DTP-HbOC; DTP-Hib; DTP-PRP-D.

• Immunizing agent, active

Diphtheria and tetanus toxoids and pertussis (dif-THEER-ee-a and TET-n-us and per-TUSS-iss) vaccine (also known as DTP vaccine) combined with Haemophilus b conjugate (hem-OFF-fil-us BEE KON-ja-gat) vaccine (also known as Hib vaccine) is a combination immunizing agent used to prevent illness caused by diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis, and Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib) bacteria. The vaccine works by causing the body to produce its own protection (antibodies) against these diseases. This combination vaccine is also known as DTP-Hib vaccine.

Diphtheria is a serious illness that can cause breathing difficulties, heart problems, nerve damage, pneumonia, and possibly death. The risk of serious complications and death is greater in very young children and in the elderly.

Tetanus (also known as lockjaw) is a serious illness that causes convulsions (seizures) and severe muscle spasms that can be strong enough to cause bone fractures of the spine. Tetanus causes death in 30 to 40 percent of cases.

Pertussis (also known as whooping cough) is a serious disease that causes severe spells of coughing that can interfere with breathing. Pertussis can also cause pneumonia, long-lasting bronchitis, seizures, brain damage, and death.

Infection by Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib) bacteria can cause life-threatening illnesses, such as meningitis, which affects the brain; epiglottitis, which can cause death by suffocation; pericarditis, which affects the heart; pneumonia, which affects the lungs; and septic arthritis, which affects the bones and joints. Hib meningitis causes death in 5 to 10% of children who are infected. Also, approximately 30% of children who survive Hib meningitis are left with some type of serious permanent damage, such as mental retardation, deafness, epilepsy, or partial blindness.

DTP-Hib vaccine is available in the following dosage form:

Parenteral
• Injection (U.S. and Canada)

In deciding to use a vaccine, the risks of receiving the vaccine must be weighed against the good it will do. This is a decision you and your doctor will make. For DTP-Hib vaccine, the following should be considered:

Allergies—Tell your doctor if your child has ever had any unusual or allergic reaction to diphtheria toxoid, tetanus toxoid, pertussis vaccine, DTP vaccine, Haemophilus b conjugate vaccine, Hib vaccine, or Haemophilus b polysaccharide vaccine. Also tell your health care professional if your child is allergic to any other substances, such as thimerosal or other preservatives.

Children—This vaccine is not recommended for children younger than 2 months of age or older than 7 years of age.

• Brain disease or
• Central nervous system (CNS) disease or family history of or
• Convulsions (seizures) or family history of—Use of the vaccine may make the condition worse or may increase the chance of side effects

• Fever or
• Serious illness—The symptoms of the condition may be confused with some of the possible side effects of the vaccine

Dosing—

The number of doses of DTP-Hib vaccine will be different for different patients. The following information includes only the average doses of DTP-Hib vaccine.

• For injection dosage form:
  • For prevention of diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis, and Haemophilus influenzae type b illnesses:
    • Children up to 2 months of age—Use is not recommended.
    • Children 2 to 6 months of age at the first dose—Three doses, at least two months apart. Then a fourth dose at 12 to 18 months of age after at least 6 months have passed since the third dose. The doses are injected into a muscle.
    • Children 7 to 11 months of age at the first dose—Two doses, at least two months apart, followed by additional doses of either this vaccine, DTP vaccine, or Hib vaccine, depending on the immunization schedule. The doses are injected into a muscle.
    • Children 12 to 14 months of age at the first dose—One dose, followed by additional doses of either this vaccine, DTP vaccine, or Hib vaccine, depending on the immunization schedule. The doses are injected into a muscle.
    • Children 15 to 59 months of age at the first dose—One dose, followed by additional doses of DTP vaccine to complete the immunization schedule for DTP. The doses are injected into a muscle.
    • Adults and children 7 years of age and older—Use is not recommended.

At the time of the DTP-Hib vaccine injection, your doctor may give your child a dose of acetaminophen (or another medicine that helps prevent fever). This is to help prevent some of the side effects of this vaccine. Your doctor may also want your child to take the acetaminophen every 4 hours for 24 hours after your child receives this vaccine. Check with your doctor if you have any questions.

This vaccine may interfere with laboratory tests that check for Hib disease. Make sure your doctor knows that your child has received DTP-Hib vaccine if your child is treated for a severe infection during the 2 weeks after your child receives this vaccine.

Along with its needed effects, a vaccine may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention. It is very important that you tell your doctor about any side effect that occurs after a dose of DTP-Hib vaccine, even if the side effect goes away without treatment. Some types of side effects may mean that your child should not receive any more doses of DTP-Hib vaccine.

Get emergency help immediately if any of the following side effects occur:

• Rare
  • Collapse;  confusion;  convulsions (seizures);  crying for three or more hours;  fever of 40.5 °C (105 °F) or more ;  headache (severe or continuing);  irritability (unusual and continuing);  periods of unconsciousness or lack of awareness;  sleepiness (unusual and continuing);  vomiting (severe or continuing)  
  
  

Check with your doctor immediately if any of the following side effects occur:

• Rare
  • Symptoms of allergic reactions—Difficulty in breathing or swallowing;  hives;  itching (especially of feet or hands);  reddening of skin (especially around ears);  swelling of eyes, face, or inside of nose;  unusual tiredness or weakness (sudden and severe) 
  
  

Other side effects may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away as your child's body adjusts to the vaccine. However, check with your doctor if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome:

• More common
  • Drowsiness;  fever of up to 102.2 °F (39 °C) (usually lasts less than 48 hours and may occur with fretfulness, drowsiness, vomiting, and loss of appetite);  fretfulness ;  irritability;  lump at place of injection (may be present for a few weeks after injection);  redness, warm feeling, swelling, tenderness, or pain at place of injection 
  
  

• Less common
  • Diarrhea;  fever between 102.2 and 104 °F (39 and 40 °C) (usually lasts less than 48 hours and may occur with fretfulness, drowsiness, vomiting, and loss of appetite);  hard lump at place of injection (may be present for a few days after injection);  loss of appetite;  vomiting 
  
  

• Rare
  • Fever between 104 and 104.8 °F (40 and 40.4 °C) (usually lasts less than 48 hours and may occur with fretfulness, drowsiness, vomiting, and loss of appetite);  lack of interest;  reduced physical activity;  skin rash  
  
  

Other side effects not listed above may also occur in some patients. If you notice any other effects, check with your doctor.