Vaccination is so far the only reliable method of preventing dangerous diseases. Vaccinations begin from infancy. This allows a person to develop immunity and tolerate certain diseases more easily. Pediatricians often recommend that parents choose the Infanrix and Hexa vaccines. These drugs are produced by the same company, but they are different in composition. To decide which is better to vaccinate, you need to understand what Infanrix Hexa and Infanrix are, what are the differences and common features of these drugs.
Description of the drug
The Infanrix vaccine is the latest combined vaccine based on safe pertussis antigens, the first vaccine in Russia for the prevention of whooping cough, diphtheria and tetanus with an acellular pertussis component.
Infanrix is used to prevent diseases characterized by severe course and possible death. The relevance and prevalence of these infections continues to this day, and the low incidence rate is ensured solely by creating an “immune layer” through vaccination from an early age.
Vaccine Infanrix or Infanrix Hexa: which is better
Infanrix is a three-component vaccine, an improved analogue of the old DTP drug. The product protects against diphtheria, whooping cough and tetanus.
This means that to prevent hepatitis B, polio and Haemophilus influenzae infection, you will have to be vaccinated additionally. It is much more convenient to introduce Hexa, which allows you to develop immunity against six viral pathologies.
Some parents believe that it is better not to load their child with multi-component drugs at a time, and choose a combination of Infanrix with mono-vaccines (the drugs are administered on different days).
So, instead of Hex, you can use Infanrix and Imovax Polio (against polio), Hiberix (protects against Haemophilus influenzae infection), Engerix B (against hepatitis B). This approach is expensive and inconvenient.
Doctors say it is better to use Hexa. It has been clinically proven that the use of multicomponent vaccines reduces the likelihood of adverse reactions and post-vaccination complications.
Advantages of the drug:
- protection against a large number of diseases;
- minimizing stress for the child;
- no time spent on frequent trips to the clinic;
- reduced risk of an allergic reaction.
The company claims that the drug is absolutely safe and can be used to vaccinate children from 3 months of age.
Directions for use and doses
A single dose is 0.5 ml, contained in a specially designed syringe. This syringe dose of the Infanrix vaccine is aseptically packaged and adapted for convenient transportation and storage, equipped with a special needle that minimizes pain from the injection. The use of such a syringe eliminates overdose and reuse.
The Infanrix vaccine is administered intramuscularly into the thigh. Injection into the buttock is not currently practiced. Intravenous administration is strictly contraindicated.
Are vaccinations interchangeable, and can they be alternated?
Before carrying out immunoprophylaxis, it is necessary to decide which drug is planned for vaccination. It is prohibited to use both products at the same time, since they contain antigens against whooping cough, tetanus and diphtheria. When 2 drugs are administered simultaneously, an overdose occurs that the body is unable to cope with.
Doctors recommend using Infanrix Hexa or Infanrix in combination with vaccines against polio, hepatitis B and hemophilus influenzae infections for vaccination.
Vaccinations are interchangeable, and after Infanrix, revaccination using Hex is allowed.
When is it not recommended to change the vaccine composition?
It is not recommended to replace the vaccine composition if the child tolerates Hexa injections well. This is due to the fact that Infanrix ensures the development of an immune response against 3 viral pathologies, and the use of Hexa makes it possible to obtain protection against 6 dangerous viral infections.
Compatibility of Infanrix with other vaccines
The Infanrix vaccine can be administered simultaneously with all drugs from the national calendar of preventive vaccinations on the same day, in different parts of the body, with the exception of the BCG vaccine.
The use of the Infanrix vaccine in combination with other vaccinations does not affect their immunogenicity (ability to develop immunity). Tolerability of vaccines does not deteriorate, and the number of adverse reactions does not increase. It is allowed to mix the Infanrix vaccine with the Hiberix vaccine (vaccine against Haemophilus influenzae type b) in one syringe.
Administering several vaccines on the same day does not place an excessive burden on the immune system. Infanrix can be used to complete a course of vaccination started with other vaccines against whooping cough, diphtheria and tetanus, as well as for revaccination if necessary. All vaccines in the Russian national vaccination calendar are interchangeable.
Difference between Infanrix and Infanrix Hexa
These are Belgian-made vaccines.
Both drugs are recommended by WHO and are actively used in Russia for immunizing children. These tools have differences:
- in the composition;
- mechanism of action;
- dosage;
- list of adverse reactions;
- cost.
To understand which vaccine to give preference to, you need to consider the features of each drug and make a comparison.
Difference in composition
Infanrix and Infanrix Hexa differ in the content of active and additional components.
Infanrix contains the following main active ingredients:
- diphtheria toxoid – 30 IU;
- tetanus – 30 IU;
- pertussis – 25 mcg;
- filamentous hemagglutinin – 25 mcg.
Additional components: aqueous aluminum oxide - 0.5 mg, purified water - 0.5 mg, pertactin - 8 mcg and sodium chloride - 4.5 mcg.
Hexa contains the following active elements:
- diphtheria toxoid – 30 IU;
- tetanus – 40 IU;
- pertussis – 7.5 mcg;
- filamentous hemagglutinin – 25 mcg;
- inactivated polio virus of the first type - 40, second - 8, third - 31 units;
- hepatitis B virus antigen – 10 mcg;
- capsular polysaccharide Haemophilus influenzae type b conjugated with tetanus toxoid – 10 mcg.
Infanrix Hexa
Additional components: hydrous aluminum oxide - 0.5 mg, Hanks' medium 199 - 0.09-1.15 mg, purified water - 0.5 mg, sodium chloride - 4.5 mg, aluminum phosphate - 0.2 mg and pertactin – 8 mcg.
Gex's composition is more complex. At the same time, the dosage of some components has been reduced.
Differences in mechanism of action
Infanrix - used for immunization against diphtheria, whooping cough and tetanus. Its analogue is Hexa. This drug contains antigens to protect against the diseases listed above and additionally against Haemophilus influenzae, polio and hepatitis B.
The mechanism of action of vaccines is almost the same. The only difference is that Infanrix promotes the development of protective forces against three diseases, and Hexa - against six.
When vaccine components enter the bloodstream, the immune system begins to activate and fight the virus. As a result of this reaction, antibodies are produced that protect the body from the development of pathology. A child vaccinated with these drugs will not get a viral infection or will tolerate it much easier, without complications.
How else do the drugs differ?
The differences between the drugs do not end with the composition and mechanism of action. There are also some differences in adverse reactions and costs.
Adverse events associated with Infanrix immunoprophylaxis:
- fever;
- swelling at the injection site, swelling of the limb;
- drowsiness;
- prolonged crying;
- nervousness;
- headache;
- convulsions;
- enlarged lymph nodes;
- increased body temperature;
- vomit;
- cough;
- stool disorder;
- respiratory arrest;
- hives;
- anaphylaxis;
- decreased platelet count;
- itching and rash in the injection area.
Hexa provokes similar adverse reactions and in addition can cause:
- weakness;
- unnatural crying;
- paralysis;
- inflammation of the meninges;
- damage to blood vessels;
- joint inflammation;
- papular dermatosis;
- inflammation of the brain.
The price of Infanrix is 740 rubles per dose. The cost of Hex is much higher and is equal to 1860 rubles per bottle.
Vaccination scheme
The course of primary vaccination consists of 3 doses of vaccine administered according to the National Calendar of Preventive Vaccinations of the Russian Federation at 3 - 4.5 - 6 months. In case of violation of the vaccination course schedule, the subsequent interval between the administration of the next dose of Infanrix® does not change and is 1.5 months. Revaccination is carried out 12 months after the third dose of the primary vaccination course.
In all cases of violation of the vaccination schedule, the doctor must be guided by the National Calendar of Preventive Vaccinations of the Russian Federation.
Side effects
The Infanrix vaccine has lower reactogenicity compared to whole cell vaccines (DTP). Allergic reactions have been very rarely reported with the administration of Infanrix. 10% of vaccinated people experienced the following side effects: redness/swelling/pain at the injection site, increased body temperature to low-grade levels.
Less frequently (in 0.1% of cases), complications such as lymphadenopathy, fever to febrile levels, compaction at the injection site, and severe restlessness of the child were recorded.
Is it possible to have both vaccinations?
Before vaccination, it is important to decide what kind of immunoprophylaxis to use. Both vaccines cannot be used at the same time, since they contain antigens against whooping cough, tetanus and diphtheria: if two drugs are administered, there will be an overdose, the body may not be able to cope with such a load. Doctors recommend vaccination with Infanrix Hexa or regular Infanrix and vaccines against polio, hepatitis B and hemophilus influenzae infection. After Infanrix, revaccination of Hex is allowed.
How is vaccination carried out?
Vaccination is carried out in a vaccination room, in compliance with all sanitary requirements. All drugs are certified. A certificate for the drug is provided upon request.
Without reminders, before vaccination, the medical worker must show the drug and the expiration date of the vaccine.
Only sterile and disposable instruments are used. The vaccination must be carried out using disposable medical gloves.
On the day of vaccination, the child is examined by a pediatrician and the temperature is measured. In the absence of contraindications, vaccination is carried out. Information about the vaccination performed is entered into the card, vaccination certificate, and detailed recommendations for caring for the child in the post-vaccination period are given.
Before vaccination, the doctor will answer all your questions. Be sure to bring information about previous vaccinations to your appointment!
Please note that vaccination of a child, Mantoux test, Diaskintest can only be carried out in the presence of parents or legal representatives of the child (guardians), or if the accompanying person has a NOTARIZED power of attorney to carry out the manipulation (indicating the drug planned for administration) . Otherwise, vaccination will be denied. We comply with the laws of the Russian Federation.
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