Fendrix: Inactivated Hepatitis B (rDNA) vaccine
Fendrix vaccine is used to prevent the Hepatitis B disease. It is vaccine by GSK vaccines Pvt Ltd. It is inactivated Hepatitis B vaccine.
This vaccine is available in adult 0.5 ml dosages. Contains Hepatitis B surface antigen 20 mcg.
How is Fendrix vaccine available?
Fendrix vaccine is available as injection liquid form. It is available as 0.5 ml dose. It is available as pre filled syringe without needle. It is available in single dose form. It is packed in opaque box to protect from sunlight.
How is Fendrix vaccine stored?
Fendrix vaccine is stored at 2-8 degree Celsius. The temperature range should be maintained with the help of cold chain. The temperature range should be maintained at all levels of transport and storage. The vaccine should not be frozen. If the vaccine is frozen accidentally it should be discarded and not used for the injection.
How is Fendrix vaccine given?
Fendrix vaccine is given as injection on the shoulder in deltoid muscle in those above 15 years with needle as intramuscular route. All the safe injection precautions should be followed while giving injection. The disposables should be discarded as per biomedical waste management protocols. The vaccine that has passed expiry should be discarded as per biomedical waste management protocol rules. For those above 19 years 1 ml dose is given. For those below 18 years 0.5 ml dose is needed.
For those who have bleeding disorder this vaccine can be administered subcutaneously and firm pressure is given after the vaccination. The vaccination should be preferably planned after getting the dose of clotting factor in haemophilliacs.
At what age Fendrix vaccine is given?
This vaccine is given at o dose above 15 years if un-immunised for Hepatitis B vaccine then 3 doses are given at 1,2 and 6 months from the zero dose.
4 dose schedule is followed for this vaccine.
Once started with Fendrix entire schedule should be given with Fendrix vaccine.
The boosters for other commercially available Hepatitis B vaccine can be completed with this vaccine.
The same schedule is given for pre haemodialysis and dialysis patients but they may need boosters. As this group has high chance of getting exposed to Hepatitis B they should be tested for levels of AntiHBsAg antibody and decision of further boosters is needed to be taken.
How does Fendrix vaccine works?
Fendrix vaccine is active form of immunization but it is inactivated vaccine. Fendrix vaccine contains HBs-antigen of Hepatitis B virus in inactivated form. This antigen is obtained by the recombinant technology. When this vaccine is injected to a host the immunity of the host recognizes the antigen on Hepatitis B virus. The immunity is form against this virus and in the process the memory is also formed. When the real infection occurs the immune response is boosted against the infection and protects the person against the disease itself.
Safety with other vaccine:
Fendrix vaccine is safe with most other medicine and no drug interactions were noted. The other vaccine or other drug should not be mixed in same syringe as this vaccine.
Like other inactivated vaccines Fendrix vaccine is considered as safe in pregnant and lactating woman, but the risk benefit ratio should be evaluated by the caregiver.
Concomitant administration of Fendrix and anti hepatitis B immunoglobulin the data of effect is lacking but it is considered as risk of getting infection may be higher in exposed people.
What are side effects of Fendrix vaccine?
Fendrix vaccine causes side effect that are generally milder and can be managed at home and does not need hospital admission:
· Fever is common side effect after the vaccination. It usually subsides in 1-3 days and can be managed very easily at home with medicine like paracetamol and sponging.
· Swelling and pain occurs at injection site may last for 1-3 days can be managed with paracetamol and local cold compression.
· Diarhea and loss of appetite can occur after vaccination and can be managed by oral rehydrating solution.
· Nausea and vomiting may occur after the vaccination and it can be managed by oral syp ondansetron and oral rehydrating solution.
· Abdominal pain.
· Muscular pain and joint pain.
· Headache and fatigue.
· Anaphylaxis and allergy is extremely rare side effect of the vaccine. Like other vaccines the vaccine should be administered at center where necessary personnel and drugs and equipments are available to manage if any reaction occurs.
To whom this vaccine should not be given?
This vaccine should not be given to those who are allergic to any of its components.
This vaccine should not be given to a person who has got anaphylactic reaction to previous dose.
To those who are less than 15 years of age.