Diphtheria, tetanus and acellular pertussis, inactivated poliovirus and Haemophilus influenzae type b (5-in-1)
Diphtheria, tetanus and acellular pertussis, inactivated poliovirus and Haemophilus influenzae type b (DTaP- IPV-Hib) is a 5-in-1 vaccine that protects against five common childhood diseases, namely diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis (whooping cough), polio and Haemophilus influenzae type b. Each of these conditions can lead to serious complications in young children.
Diphtheria
Diphtheria is highly contagious and creates a thick grey-white coating at the back of the throat, accompanied by fever, sore throat and difficulty breathing and swallowing, while pertussis or whooping cough is a bacterial infection of the lungs that causes intense bouts of coughing.
Tetanus
Tetanus bacteria releases a toxin that creates muscles stiffness in the jaw muscles (lockjaw) and muscle spasms that cause difficulty in breathing and swallowing.
Polio
The polio virus can cause long-term damage to the nerves, causing temporary or permanent weakness or paralysis that leads to deformities in the feet or legs.
Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib)
Hib is a bacterium that can cause inflammation to the lining of the brain and spinal cord (meningitis) and heart (pericarditis), blood poisoning (sepsis) and infection of the joints (septic arthritis) and bones (osteomyelitis).
Diphtheria, tetanus and acellular pertussis, inactivated poliovirus, Haemophilus influenzae type b and Hepatitis B (6-in-1)
Similar to the DTaP- IPV-Hib 5-in-1 vaccine, the 6-in-1 vaccine protects against six common childhood diseases, namely diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis (whooping cough), polio, and Haemophilus influenzae type b, with the inclusion of Hepatitis B.
Hepatitis B affects the liver and can be passed on from an infected mother to her child, and through contact with infected blood. In some individuals, the infection can become chronic and cause long-term damage to the liver or even lead to liver cancer.
Hepatitis B (HepB)
The Hepatitis B vaccine protects against the damaging effects of the Hepatitis B virus, which attacks the liver. While most people recover without lasting effects, a chronic infection can lead to liver cirrhosis (scarring of the liver tissue) and liver cancer.
Human papillomavirus (HPV2)
There are over 40 Human papillomavirus or HPV types that are spread through direct sexual contact. Among these, several types of HPV can lead to genital warts and certain kinds of cancer, including cervical, penile and vaginal cancer. Getting the HPV2 vaccine helps to prevent against the most common strains that are associated with cervical cancer.
Influenza (INF)
The influenza (flu) vaccine protects against four flu virus strains. With many flu virus strains in circulation, the vaccine is recommended to be taken annually, to protect against the most current strains.
Measles, mumps and rubella (MMR)
The MMR vaccine protects against measles, mumps and rubella (German measles). Complications from measles can lead to pneumonia and ear infections, while mumps can lead to hearing loss and meningitis (inflammation of the brain lining). Rubella is dangerous for pregnant women, as it can lead to miscarriage or birth defects.
Measles, mumps, rubella and varicella (MMRV)
The MMRV vaccine protects against measles, mumps and rubella (German measles) with the addition of varicella, the virus that causes chickenpox. Protection against chickenpox also helps to prevent the development of shingles (herpes zoster) which can occur years later.
Pneumococcal conjugate (PCV10 and PCV13)
Vaccination with the pneumococcal conjugate vaccine helps to protect children against infection with the bacterium Streptococcus pneumoniae. This bacterium can lead to complications such as pneumonia, sepsis (blood poisoning), and meningitis (inflammation of the brain lining), which are potentially fatal. The PCV10 vaccine protects against 10 strains of Streptococcus pneumoniae.
Similar to PCV10, the PCV13 vaccine protects against the bacterium Streptococcus pneumoniae, but with protection against 13 strains.
Pneumococcal polysaccharide (PPSV23)
The Pneumococcal polysaccharide (PPSV23) protects against 23 strains of the bacterium Streptococcus pneumoniae. The PPSV23 is recommended for adults and administered in a single dose.
Tetanus, reduced diphtheria and acellular pertussis (Tdap)
The Tdap vaccine contains a full-strength dose of the tetanus vaccine and smaller doses of the diphtheria and whooping cough vaccine to maintain immunity against these diseases.
Tetanus, reduced diphtheria, acellular pertussis and inactivated poliovirus (Tdap-IPV)
Similar to the Tdap but with the addition of the polio vaccine, Tdap-IPV offers more protection in one convenient shot.
Varicella (chickenpox) (VAR)
Protection against the varicella virus that causes chickenpox can help to prevent serious complications such as secondary infection and shingles (herpes zoster), which is a painful rash. Both chicken pox and shingles can lead to such as pneumonia and inflammation of the brain or spinal cord (encephalitis or meningitis).