PedvaxHIB

PedvaxHIB is a vaccine used to help prevent invasive disease caused by Haemophilus influenzae type b in infants and children 2 to 71 months of age.

PedvaxHIB is a vaccine given as a shot into the upper arm or thigh. 

Common side effects of PedvaxHIB include fever and injection site redness, soreness, and swellling. 

PedvaxHIB is a vaccine used to help prevent invasive disease caused by Haemophilus influenzae type b in infants and children 2 to 71 months of age.

Because of the potential for immune tolerance, PedvaxHIB is not recommended for use in infants younger than 6 weeks of age. 

• Merck Sharp & Dohme Corp.

Common side effects of PedvaxHIB include:

• injection site redness, soreness, and swellling
• fever
• irritability
• sleepiness
• unusual high-pitched crying and/or prolonged crying (>4 hr)
• diarrhea
• vomiting
• pain
• ear infection (otitis media)
• rash
• upper respiratory infection.

​This is not a complete list of PedvaxHIB side effects. Ask your doctor or pharmacist for more information.

Tell your doctor if you have any side effect that bothers you or that does not go away.

Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

No drug interactions have been determined by the manufacturer. However, care should be taken if you are receiving medicines that weaken your immune system. You should tell your doctor about all the medicines you take including prescription and nonprescription medicines, vitamins and herbal supplements. Not all drug interactions are known or reported and new drug interactions are continually being reported. 

Serious side effects have been reported with PedvaxHIB including the following:

• early onset Hib disease
• a condition in which the immune system attacks the nerves (Guillain-Barré syndrome)

Use caution when vaccinating latex-sensitive individuals since the vial stopper contains dry natural latex rubber that may cause allergic reactions.

Your child should not receive PedvaxHIB if your child has an allergy to PedvaxHIB or any component in the vaccine. 

Medications can interact with certain foods. In some cases, this may be harmful and your doctor may advise you to avoid certain foods. In the case of PedvaxHIB, there are no specific foods that you must exclude from your diet when receiving this medication. 

Tell your health care provider if your child:

• has an allergy to PedvaxHIB or any component of the vaccine
• has a fever
• takes any medications, even those you can buy over the counter

Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant.

The FDA categorizes medications and vaccines based on safety for use during pregnancy. Five categories - A, B, C, D, and X, are used to classify the possible risks to an unborn baby when a medication is taken during pregnancy.

PedvaxHIB falls into category C. No studies have been done in animals, and no well-controlled studies have been done in pregnant women. PedvaxHIB should be given to pregnant women only if clearly needed. 

Tell your doctor is you are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed. 

It is not known if PedvaxHIB crosses into human milk. Because some vaccines can cross into human milk and becuase of the possibility for serious adverse reactions in nursing infants with use of this vaccine, a choice should be made whether to stop nursing or stop the use of this vaccine. Your doctor and you will decide if the benefits outweigh the risk of using PedvaxHIB. 

• This vaccine will be administered by a healthcare provider.
• PedvaxHIB is a vaccine given as a shot into the upper arm or thigh. 
• If there is an interruption or delay between doses in the primary series, there is no need to repeat the series, but dosing should be continued at the next clinic visit. 

PedvaxHIB is a vaccine given as a shot into the upper arm or thigh. 

The recommend vaccination schedules for PedvaxHIB are the following:

• 2-10 months at first dose: 2 doses, 2 months apart and a booster dose at 12-15 months
• 11-14 months at first dose: 2 doses, 2 months apart
• 15-71 months at first dose: 1 dose

PedvaxHIB may be interchanged with other licensed Haemophilus b Conjugate Vaccines for the primary and booster doses.

PedvaxHIB is administered by a healthcare provider in a medical setting. It is unlikely that an overdose will occur in this setting. However, if overdoes is suspected, seek emergency medical attention. 

This vaccine will be stored and given by a healthcare provider.