Pentavalent vaccine

Pentavalent Vaccine:

A vaccine which contains five different antigens in one vial is called pentavalent ("penta" comes from Greek work which means five). The pentavalent vaccine in Ethiopia contains four antibacterial called DPT-Hib ( diphtheria, pertussis, tetanus and Haemophilus influenza type b bacteria) these four components are described below and one antiviral vaccine (hepatitis b virus) which will be discussed in study session three.

Diphtheria vaccine

Diphtheria is caused by bacteria called Corynebacterium diphtheria. The bacteria produce a toxin that can harm or destroy human body tissues and organs. One type of the disease affects the pharynx and other parts of the throat. Diphtheria affects mostly non-immunized children under 15 years of age, but it can affect people of all age's groups. When diphtheria affects the throat and tonsils, the early sign and symptoms are a sore throat, loss of appetite and fever. The most effective way of preventing diphtheria is to maintain a high level of immunisation in the community. A mother can pass protective antibodies to her baby, but this protection lasts for only about six months after birth. Diphtheria toxoid vaccine is given together with pertussis, hepatitis, Haemophilus influenza type b and tetanus toxoid as DPT-HepB-Hib vaccine.

Pertussis

Pertussis, or whooping cough, is a disease of the respiratory tract caused by inactivated (killed) bacteria called Bordetella pertussis. The germ lives in the mouth, nose and throat. The disease is common in non-immunized children all over the world. Severe epidemics can occur where immunisation coverage is low. The disease is most dangerous for children less than 12 months old.

Tetanus toxoid for neonatal tetanus (TT)

Tetanus or lockjaw is caused be a bacteria Clostridium tetani. Tetanus toxoid is a subunit antibacterial vaccine. Tetanus affects person's muscles all contract, making the body stiff. The disease is particularly common and serious in newborn babies when it is called neonatal tetanus (NNT). TT vaccine is also given on its own as a "booster" to women of childbearing age,

Hemophilus Influenza type b (Hib)

Haemophilus Influenzae type b(Hib) is one of the six serotypes of Haemophilus bacteria that causes about 95% of morbidity and mortality among under-five children where Hib vaccine is not routinely given to all infants. This bacteria causes a majority of the serious childhood illnesses like pneumonia, bacterial meningitis, parotitis, and septicaemia. Hib vaccine is a conjugate antibacterial vaccine, which protects against pneumonia and meningitis caused by the bacteria Haemophilus influenza type b. Pneumonia is a severe infection of the lungs, which causes the air sacs to fill with fluid and pus; this makes breathing painful and difficult and reduces the oxygen getting into the body. Note that Hib vaccine only protects against diseases caused by type b Haemophilus Influenzae bacteria (there are other types), and it does not prevent pneumonia or meningitis caused by other infectious agents.

Summary of Pentavalent Vaccine (DPT-HepB-Hib)

Tetanus vaccine for the mother

Tetanus toxoid (TT) is given to women of childbearing age and pregnant women to prevent maternal and neonatal tetanus. It is the same tetanus toxoid as that given to children in DPT-HepB-Hib vaccine. When given to a woman, who is or becomes pregnant, the antibodies that formed in her body cross the placenta into the fetus. These antibodies protect the baby against tetanus during birth and for a few months after that. It also protects the woman against tetanus. See characteristics of TT vaccine in the table below.

Summary Tetanus Toxoid Vaccine Components (TT) Vaccine Women