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haemophilus b conjugate (PRP-T) vaccine

Generic Name: haemophilus b conjugate (PRP-T) vaccine (hem OFF il us B KON ju gate)
Brand Names: ActHIB

What is haemophilus B conjugate (PRP-T) vaccine?

Haemophilus B is a type of influenza (flu) that is caused by a bacteria. Haemophilus B bacteria can infect the lungs or throat, and can also spread to the blood, bones, joints, brain, or spinal cord. It can cause pneumonia or meningitis, and these infections can be fatal.

Haemophilus B disease can spread from one person to another through small droplets of saliva that are expelled into the air when an infected person coughs or sneezes. The bacteria can also be passed through contact with objects the infected person has touched, such as a door handle, or other surface. The bacteria can also be passed through kissing, or sharing a drinking glass or eating utensil with an infected person.

Haemophilus B conjugate vaccine is used to prevent infection caused by haemophilus B bacteria, and is sometimes combined with vaccines to protect against other diseases. Haemophilus B vaccine will not protect against other types of influenza.

Haemophilus B conjugate vaccine works by exposing your child to a small dose of the bacteria or a protein from the bacteria, which causes the body to develop immunity to the disease. This vaccine will not treat an active infection that has already developed in the body.

Like any vaccine, haemophilus B conjugate vaccine may not provide protection from disease in every person.

Developing haemophilus B infection is much more dangerous to your child"s health than receiving this vaccine. However, like any medicine, this vaccine can cause side effects but the risk of serious side effects is extremely low.

What is the most important information I should know about haemophilus B conjugate (PRP-T) vaccine?

Developing haemophilus B infection is much more dangerous to your child"s health than receiving this vaccine. However, like any medicine, this vaccine can cause side effects but the risk of serious side effects is extremely low.

Before receiving haemophilus B conjugate vaccine, tell the doctor if your child has a bleeding or blood clotting disorder, a weak immune system, or if the child is receiving steroids, chemotherapy, or radiation treatment. The vaccine may need to be postponed or not given at all.

Your child can still receive a haemophilus B conjugate vaccine if the child has a minor cold. In the case of a more severe illness with a fever or any type of infection, wait until the child gets better before receiving this vaccine.

Like any vaccine, haemophilus B conjugate vaccine may not provide protection from disease in every person.

What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before receiving haemophilus B conjugate (PRP-T) vaccine?

Before receiving haemophilus B conjugate vaccine, tell your child"s doctor if the child is allergic to any drugs, or has:

• a bleeding or blood clotting disorder, such as hemophilia;

• any condition that weakens the immune system (such as HIV, AIDS, or cancer); or

• if the child is receiving steroids, chemotherapy, or radiation treatments.

If your child has any of these conditions, he or she may not be able to receive haemophilus B conjugate vaccine, or may need to wait until the condition changes or until all treatments are completed.

How is haemophilus B conjugate vaccine given?

Haemophilus B conjugate vaccine is given to children between the ages of 2 months and 18 months old. It may also be given to an older child with a medical conditions such as HIV or AIDS, sickle cell disease, or who is receiving cancer treatments or a bone marrow transfusion.

This vaccine is given as a shot into a muscle of the child"s thigh. A doctor, nurse, or other healthcare provider will give this injection. In most cases, this vaccine is given as 2 separate shots, 2 months apart. A booster dose is then given 2 months after the last shot, or no later than 18 months of age. Follow your doctor"s instructions for your child"s vaccination schedule.

Your child can still receive a haemophilus B conjugate vaccine if the child has a minor cold. In the case of a more severe illness with a fever or any type of infection, wait until the child gets better before receiving this vaccine.

Your doctor may recommend using a non-aspirin pain reliever to prevent pain or fever that can occur with this vaccination. Over-the-counter pain relievers include acetaminophen (Tylenol, Tempra, Panadol, and others) or ibuprofen (Motrin Childrens, Advil Childrens, and others). Use this medication when the shot is given and for the next 24 hours, unless your doctor tells you otherwise. Use only the dose your doctor recommends.

Be sure to receive all doses of the haemophilus B conjugate vaccine recommended by your healthcare provider or by the health department of the state you live in. If you do not receive the full series of vaccines, you may not be fully protected against the disease.

What happens if I miss a dose?

Contact your doctor if a you will miss a haemophilus B conjugate vaccine dose or if you get behind schedule. The next dose should be given as soon as possible. There is no need to start over.

What happens if I overdose?

An overdose of haemophilus B conjugate vaccine is not likely to occur.

What should I avoid before or after getting haemophilus B conjugate (PRP-T) vaccine?

There are usually no restrictions on food, beverages, or activity before or after receiving haemophilus B conjugate vaccine.

What are the possible side effects of haemophilus B conjugate (PRP-T) vaccine?

• pale skin, severe weakness, dizziness, fast heartbeat;

• high fever (over 101 degrees F); or

• seizure (black-out or convulsions).

Less serious side effects may be more likely to occur, such as:

• low fever, headache;

• diarrhea, vomiting, loss of appetite;

• fussiness, crying, sleepiness; or

• redness, swelling, or pain 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 that is especially bothersome.

What other drugs will affect haemophilus B conjugate (PRP-T) vaccine?

Haemophilus B conjugate vaccine can be given at the same time as other vaccinations.

Talk to your child"s doctor before receiving haemophilus B conjugate vaccine if the child is receiving any of the following medications that may affect the immune system:

• cyclosporine (Sandimmune, Neoral, Gengraf);

• etanercept (Enbrel);

• mycophenolate mofetil (CellCept);

• sirolimus (Rapamune);

• tacrolimus (Prograf);

• chemotherapy or radiation treatment for cancer;

• a steroid medicine such as betamethasone (Celestone), cortisone (Cortone), dexamethasone (Decadron, Dexone), hydrocortisone (Cortef, Hydrocortone), methylprednisolone (Medrol), prednisolone (Prelone, Pediapred), prednisone (Orasone, Deltasone), triamcinolone (Aristocort), and others; or

• 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).

If your child is using any of these medications, he or she may not be able to receive haemophilus B conjugate vaccine, or may need to wait until the other treatments are completed.

There may be other drugs not listed that can affect haemophilus B conjugate vaccine. Tell your doctor about all the prescription and over-the-counter medications you use. This includes vitamins, minerals, herbal products, and drugs prescribed by other doctors. Do not start using a new medication without telling your doctor.

Where can I get more information?

• Your doctor or pharmacist may have information about haemophilus B conjugate vaccine written for health professionals that you may read. You may also find additional information from your local health department or the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

• Every effort has been made to ensure that the information provided by Cerner Multum, Inc. ("Multum") is accurate, up-to-date, and complete, but no guarantee is made to that effect. Drug information contained herein may be time sensitive. Multum information has been compiled for use by healthcare practitioners and consumers in the United States and therefore Multum does not warrant that uses outside of the United States are appropriate, unless specifically indicated otherwise. Multum"s drug information does not endorse drugs, diagnose patients or recommend therapy. Multum"s drug information is an informational resource designed to assist licensed healthcare practitioners in caring for their patients and/or to serve consumers viewing this service as a supplement to, and not a substitute for, the expertise, skill, knowledge and judgment of healthcare practitioners. The absence of a warning for a given drug or drug combination in no way should be construed to indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective or appropriate for any given patient. Multum does not assume any responsibility for any aspect of healthcare administered with the aid of information Multum provides. The information contained herein is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. If you have questions about the drugs you are taking, check with your doctor, nurse or pharmacist.