Active immunization against diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis, poliomyelitis, and invasive disease caused by H. influenzae type b (FDA approved in ages 6 weeks to <5 years).
Pentacel is not indicated for the polio booster dose given at 4 to 6 years of age. Children should also receive an additional dose of DTaP vaccine at 4 to 6 years of age; Daptacel or Quadracel is recommended for consistency of pertussis antigen between products.
Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) recommendations:
Diphtheria and tetanus toxoids, acellular pertussis, poliovirus and Haemophilus b conjugate vaccine (Pentacel [DTaP-IPV/Hib]) may be used to provide the recommended DTaP, IPV, and Hib immunization series in infants and children <5 years of age. The Hib component in Pentacel contains a tetanus toxoid conjugate (PRP-T). A Hib vaccine containing the PRP-OMP conjugate (PedvaxHIB) may provide a more rapid seroconversion following the first dose and may be preferable to use in certain populations (eg, American Indian or Alaska Native children) (ACIP [Briere 2014]).
Per the ACIP, polio vaccine is recommended at 2, 4, and 6 to 18 months of age. For the 3-dose primary series, the minimum age and minimum intervals during the first 6 months of life should only be used when the vaccine recipient is at risk for imminent exposure to circulating poliovirus (shorter intervals and earlier start dates may lead to lower seroconversion) (CDC 2009). When Pentacel is administered according to labeled recommendations, this will result in a total of 5 childhood doses of IPV.
Canadian labeling: Active immunization against diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis, poliomyelitis, and invasive disease caused by H. influenzae type b; product specific labeling: Pediacel, Pentacel: Patients ≥2 months through 6 years of age; Infanrix-IPV/Hib: Patients ≥6 weeks through 4 years of age.
Canadian National Advisory Committee on Immunization (NACI) recommendations: Combination DTaP-IPV-Hib may be used to provide the component immunizations in children <7 years of age (NACI 2016).