title: Review of 8 years of experience with Infanrix hexa (DTPa-HBV-IPV/Hib hexavalent vaccine).
abstract: Combination vaccines that include multiple antigens within one formulation are now widely accepted as an effective means of eliciting protection against several diseases at the same time. Owing to improvements in quality and convenient modes of administration, they have become part of routine pediatric practice. Hexavalent vaccines, including diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis, hepatitis B, polio and Haemophilus influenzae type b antigens represent the latest advance in the development of combination vaccines. Over 8 years since its first licensure, this review looks at the immunogenicity, efficacy and safety profile of the only hexavalent pediatric vaccine currently in use--Infanrix hexa (diphtheria, tetanus, acellular pertusis-hepatitis B virus-inactivated poliovirus vaccine/Haemophilus influenzae type b vaccine [DTPa-HBV-IPV/Hib]; GlaxoSmithKline Biologicals, Rixensart, Belgium)--through published clinical trials and postmarketing surveillance data. These data show DTPa-HBV-IPV/Hib to be highly immunogenic and well tolerated across a range of different primary and booster vaccination schedules, as well as when administered concomitantly with other licensed vaccines (e.g., pneumococcal conjugate vaccine). Additional issues surrounding the use of hexavalent vaccines are also reviewed.
authors.affiliation: University Hospital, Department of Pediatrics, Johannes Gutenberg University, Langenbeckstrasse 1, 55131 Mainz, Germany. zepp@kinder.klinik.uni-mainz.de
authors.forename: Fred
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Zepp
authors.forename: Heinz-Josef
authors.initials: HJ
authors.lastname: Schmitt
authors.forename: Jan
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Cleerbout
authors.forename: Thomas
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Verstraeten
authors.forename: Lode
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Schuerman
authors.forename: Jeanne-Marie
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Jacquet
mesh_terms: D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic; D022681:Diphtheria-Tetanus-acellular Pertussis Vaccines / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000276:immunology*; D018073:Haemophilus Vaccines / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000276:immunology*; D006801:Humans; D011054:Poliovirus Vaccine, Inactivated / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000276:immunology*; D011358:Product Surveillance, Postmarketing; D017778:Vaccines, Combined / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000276:immunology
chemical_list: D022681:Diphtheria-Tetanus-acellular Pertussis Vaccines; D018073:Haemophilus Vaccines; D011054:Poliovirus Vaccine, Inactivated; D017778:Vaccines, Combined