Haemophilus B-Hepatitis B Vaccine

 
Generic Name: haemophilus b and hepatitis B vaccine

Brands: Comvax

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What is the most important information I should know about Haemophilus B-Hepatitis B Vaccine?

· Infants and children with minor illnesses, such as a cold, may be vaccinated. Those who are moderately or severely ill should usually wait until they recover before getting the vaccine.

 

What is Haemophilus B-Hepatitis B Vaccine?

· Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib) is a serious disease caused by bacteria. It usually strikes children younger than 5 years old. Hib is spread from person to person. Children and adults may have the bacteria and not know it. If the germs stay in a child's nose and throat, the child probably will not get sick. But sometimes the germs spread into the lungs or the bloodstream, and then Hib can cause serious problems. Haemophilus influenzae type b vaccine exposes the individual to a small amount of the bacteria (or to a protein from the bacteria) and causes the body to develop immunity to the disease.

· Hepatitis B (HBV) is a serious disease caused by a virus. HBV is spread through contact with the blood and body fluids of an infected person. A person can get infected in several ways, such as: by having unprotected sex with an infected person; by sharing needles when injecting illegal drugs; by being stuck with a used needle on the job; and during birth when the virus passes from an infected mother to her baby. HBV vaccine exposes the individual to a small amount of the virus (or to a protein from the virus) and causes the body to develop immunity to the disease.

· Hepatitis B infection can cause short-term (acute) illness that leads to loss of appetite; diarrhea and vomiting; tiredness; jaundice (yellow skin or eyes); or pain in the muscles, joints, and stomach. It can also cause long-term (chronic) illness that can lead to liver damage (cirrhosis), liver cancer, and death. About 1.25 million people in the United States have chronic hepatitis B infection.

· Haemophilus B-Hepatitis B Vaccine is indicated for vaccination against disease caused by Haemophilus influenzae type b and against infection caused by all known subtypes of hepatitis B virus in infants 6 weeks to 15 months of age born of HbsAg negative mothers.

 

What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before Haemophilus B-Hepatitis B Vaccine is administered?

· Infants and children who have had a life-threatening allergic reaction to yeast (including the kind used for making bread) or after receiving a dose of haemophilus b and/or hepatitis B vaccine should not get another dose.

· Before Haemophilus B-Hepatitis B Vaccine is administered, talk to your doctor if your infant or child:     ·has HIV, AIDS or another disease that affects the immune system;     ·is taking a medication that affects the immune system (e.g. steroids, anti-rejection medications);     ·has cancer; or     ·is receiving cancer treatment with x-rays, radiation, or medication.

· Ask your healthcare provider for more information. Haemophilus B-Hepatitis B Vaccine may not be recommended in some cases.

· Infants and children with minor illnesses, such as a cold, may be vaccinated. Those who are moderately or severely ill should usually wait until they recover before getting Haemophilus B-Hepatitis B Vaccine.

· Children younger than 6 weeks of age should not get Haemophilus B-Hepatitis B Vaccine.

· Haemophilus B-Hepatitis B Vaccine is not recommended for use in adult populations.

· Haemophilus B-Hepatitis B Vaccine is not recommended for use in women of childbearing age.

 

How is Haemophilus B-Hepatitis B Vaccine administered?

· A doctor, nurse, or other healthcare provider will administer the Haemophilus B-Hepatitis B Vaccine as an injection.

· Your doctor may recommend reducing fever and pain by using an aspirin-free pain reliever such as acetaminophen (Tylenol, Tempra, others) or ibuprofen (Motrin, Advil, others) when the shot is given and for the next 24 hours. Your healthcare provider can tell you the appropriate dosages of these medications.

 

What happens if I a dose is missed?

· Contact your doctor if a dose of Haemophilus B-Hepatitis B Vaccine is missed. The next dose should be given as soon as possible. There is no need to start over.

 

What happens if there is an overdose?

· An overdose of Haemophilus B-Hepatitis B Vaccine is unlikely to occur.

 

What should be avoided before or after Haemophilus B-Hepatitis B Vaccine is administered?

· There are no restrictions on food, beverages, or activity before or after receiving Haemophilus B-Hepatitis B Vaccine.

 

What are the possible side effects of Haemophilus B-Hepatitis B Vaccine?

· Getting haemophilus b and/or hepatitis B disease is much riskier than getting the vaccine. However, a vaccine, like any medicine, is capable of causing serious problems, such as severe allergic reactions. The risk of Haemophilus B-Hepatitis B Vaccine causing serious harm, or death, is extremely small.

· Seek emergency medical attention or contact your doctor immediately if your infant or child experiences any of the following rare but serious side effects from Haemophilus B-Hepatitis B Vaccine:     ·a serious allergic reaction including swelling of the lips, tongue, or face; difficulty breathing; closing of the throat; hives; paleness; weakness; dizziness; or a fast heart beat within a few minutes to a few hours after the shot;     ·high fever; or     ·behavior changes.

· Other less serious side effects may be more likely to occur. Talk to your doctor if your infant or child experiences:     ·mild to moderate fever; or     ·redness, warmth, or swelling where the shot was given.

· Side effects other than those listed here may also occur. Contact your doctor about any side effect that seems unusual or is especially bothersome.

 

What other drugs will affect Haemophilus B-Hepatitis B Vaccine?

· Talk to your doctor before Haemophilus B-Hepatitis B Vaccine is administered if your infant or child is taking any of the following medications that may affect the immune system:     ·an oral or injectable steroid medication such as betamethasone (Celestone), cortisone (Cortone), dexamethasone (Decadron, Dexone), hydrocortisone (Cortef, Hydrocortone), methylprednisolone (Medrol), prednisolone (Prelone, Pediapred), prednisone (Orasone, Deltasone, others), or triamcinolone (Aristocort);     ·an inhaled or nasal steroid such as beclomethasone (Qvar, Beclovent, Beconase, Vanceril, Vancenase), budesonide (Pulmicort, Rhinocort), flunisolide (Aerobid, Nasalide, Nasarel), fluticasone (Flovent, Flonase), mometasone (Nasonex), or triamcinolone (Azmacort, Nasacort);     ·treatment for cancer with chemotherapy (medication), radiation, or x-rays;     ·azathioprine (Imuran);     ·basiliximab (Simulect);     ·cyclosporine (Sandimmune, Neoral, Gengraf);     ·etanercept (Enbrel);     ·leflunomide (Arava);     ·muromonab-CD3 (Orthoclone);     ·mycophenolate mofetil (CellCept);     ·sirolimus (Rapamune); or     ·tacrolimus (Prograf).

 

Where can I get more information?

· Your doctor or pharmacist may have additional information or suggest additional resources regarding Haemophilus B-Hepatitis B Vaccine.

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