FDA Approves Pentacel Five-In-One Children's Vaccine

Children's vaccine Pentacel, protecting against five diseases with one shot only, is approved by FDA.

Pentacel is the new five-in-one children's vaccine protecting against five diseases: diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis, poliomyelitis, and Haemophilus influenza type b (Hib) infections, such as meningitis and pneumonia.

The vaccine is available for children aged from 6 weeks up to 4 years. It is recommended to be given in four doses at ages of 2, 4, 6, and 15-18 months. Current recommendations by CDC suggest 23 shots of vaccine before age of 18 months to have babies fully protected from infections, but Pentacel can reduce the number of shots to 16.

This new vaccine will be very useful for children, parents and pediatricians because it will protect children from five disease simultaneously and reduce the number of necessary shots. It is known that doctor visits and shots carry stress for children, and pediatricians are now doing their best to reduce stress situation for children. Having less shots will indeed make it easier for infants and toddlers to visit doctors and take shots.

FDA approval comes after a study of 5000 children, which showed that the five-in-one children's vaccine is safe and effective. The vaccine is not recommended for those sensitive to tetanus or pertussis, because they may have allergic reactions. Vaccine side effects may result in a few adverse side effects, such as 'redness at injection site, swelling, tenderness, and fever.'