pediarix (pf)

It is important that your child receives each vaccination as scheduled. Be sure to ask when your child should receive the next dose. It may help to make a note on your calendar to remind you. If you miss a dose, call the doctor immediately to reschedule.

Read the Vaccine Information Statements available from your health care provider before receiving the vaccine. If you have any questions, consult your health care provider. This vaccine is given by injection into a muscle by a health care professional. It is usually given in the thigh in infants and in the upper arm in older children. This vaccine is usually given in a series of 3 doses at 2, 4, and 6 months of age or as directed by the doctor. Closely follow the vaccination schedule provided by the doctor.

The doctor or pharmacist may already be aware of any possible drug interactions and may be monitoring your child for them. Do not start, stop, or change the dosage of any medicine before checking with the doctor or pharmacist first. Before your child receives this vaccine, tell the doctor or pharmacist of all prescription and nonprescription/herbal products your child may use, especially of: corticosteroids taken by mouth or given by injection (such as prednisolone, dexamethasone), drugs to treat cancer (chemotherapy), drugs that weaken the immune system (such as cyclosporine, tacrolimus). This document does not contain all possible interactions. Therefore, before your child receives this product, tell the doctor or pharmacist of all the products your child may use. Keep a list of all your child's medications with you, and share the list with the doctor and pharmacist.

Even if your child has already had any of the diseases that this vaccine prevents, he or she may not be protected from getting those diseases again. Your child should still receive this vaccine if the doctor orders it.

If overdose is suspected, contact your local poison control center or emergency room immediately. US residents can call the US National Poison Hotline at 1-800-222-1222. Canada residents can call a provincial poison control center.

Before your child receives this vaccine, tell the doctor or pharmacist if your child is allergic to it; or to any other vaccines; or if your child has any other allergies. This product may contain inactive ingredients (such as dry natural rubber/latex found in the packaging of some products, yeast, neomycin, polymyxin B), which can cause allergic reactions or other problems. Talk to your pharmacist for more details. Before your child receives this vaccine, tell the doctor or pharmacist your child's medical history, especially of: a previous reaction to any vaccines (such as high fever, seizures), current fever/illness, bleeding/blood clotting problems (such as hemophilia, low platelets), immune system problems (such as HIV infection, autoimmune disorders), cancer, radiation treatment, brain/nervous system disorders (such as seizures), history of Guillain-Barre syndrome. This vaccine is not usually used in adults. Therefore, it is unlikely to be used during pregnancy or breast-feeding. Consult your doctor if you have any questions about this vaccine.

Not applicable. This vaccine is given in a doctor's office and will not be stored at home.

Pain/swelling/redness at the injection site may occur. Mild fever, sleepiness, fussiness, and loss of appetite may also occur. If any of these effects persist or worsen, tell the doctor or pharmacist promptly. Consult the doctor or pharmacist about the short-term use of acetaminophen to treat pain and fever caused by this vaccine. Remember that the doctor has prescribed this medication because he or she has judged that the benefit to your child is greater than the risk of side effects. Many people using this medication do not have serious side effects. Tell the doctor immediately if any of these rare but serious side effects occur: high fever (105 degrees F/40 degrees C or higher), persistent crying (beginning within 48 hours of the injection and lasting longer than 3 hours), little or no response to sound/touch, numbness/tingling, unusual pain (such as shoulder pain), muscle weakness/floppy muscles, seizures. A very serious allergic reaction to this drug is rare. However, seek immediate medical attention if you notice any symptoms of a serious allergic reaction, including: rash, itching/swelling (especially of the face/tongue/throat), severe dizziness, trouble breathing. This is not a complete list of possible side effects. If you notice other effects not listed above, contact the doctor or pharmacist. Contact your doctor for medical advice about side effects. The following numbers do not provide medical advice, but in the US, you may report side effects to the Vaccine Adverse Event Reporting System (VAERS) at 1-800-822-7967. In Canada, you may report side effects to Health Canada at 1-866-234-2345.