Quadracel: (DTaP+IPV) quadrivalent painless Vaccine
Quadracel is a quadri-valent vaccine. It is from brand GSK vaccines and widely available in many countries. Quadri means Four. So it protects from Four diseases. It is acellular pertussis based vaccine. It contains DTaP and inactivated polio vaccine. Here we will discuss about Quadracel and Benefits of this vaccine.
Table of Contents
About Quadracel vaccine:
As we discussed above this is a Quadri-valent vaccine that is it protects from 4 diseases namely diphtheria, pertussis, tetanus and polio.
Quadracel contains
Above are the components of the this vaccine. It contains tetanus toxoid and diphtheria toxoid . For pertussis it contains killed pertussis cell purified antigens pertussis toxoid (PT), filamentus hemagglutinin (FHA) and pertactin (PRN). Additionally it contains all 3 strain of poliovirus in killed inactivated form. Aluminium salts namely aluminium hydroxide and aluminium phosphates are added for the adsorption process adsorption process helps to boost the immune effect against the vaccine antigens.
At what age Quadracel vaccine is given?
This vaccine is given where all the four components are needed to be given at age 4-6 years. It can be used in child who has received Infanrix hexa or Pediarix as previous doses in immunization schedule. It helps to reduce the number of pricks given to child. Infanrix hexa vaccine is recommended at age 6, 10 and 14 weeks of age in routine immunization. If penta-valent vaccine containing DTaP, HiB and IPV is unavailable for first booster at age 18 months then this vaccine can be given at age 18 months with Hiberix vaccine.
How is Quadracel given?
This vaccine is given by injection. It is usually given in anterolateral aspect of the thigh. It is safe to use this vaccine in children below 7 years of age.
How is Quadracel vaccine stored?
This vaccine is stored at 2-8 degree Celsius. The temperature is to be maintained at all stages of transport and storage till it reaches to patient from the production facility. If any time temperature goes below 2 degrees or above 8 degrees Celsius, the vaccine is frozen accidentally, it should be discarded.
Safety of vaccine with other vaccines:
Quadracel vaccine is safe and can be given with other vaccines.
This vaccine can be safely given with MMR, OPV and Chickenpox and most of other vaccines.
What are side effects of Quadracel vaccine?
Local swelling and pain, fever are the main side effects of the this vaccine. These side effects are generally mild and can be managed at home with or without medications. Fever more than 38 degrees Celsius may be noted and can come till 3-4 days after injection. It is generally reduced with paracetamol. Local swelling and pain is reduced with oral peracetamol and cold compression at the site of the injection. Irritability and crying can occur after the injection and generally lasts only for few hours.
Other major and potentially life threatening side effects are extremely rare. Like all other vaccine this vaccine too can cause anaphylaxis reaction so the center at which vaccine is given should be ready with anaphylaxis management kit and oxygenation.
Overall side effects are minor when compared to harm caused by the diseases and also when compared to whole cell pertussis vaccines like DTwP vaccine.
What are benefits of Quadracel vaccine?
There were many queries to us about benefits of This vaccine.
Here we will discuss about the benefits of Quadracel vaccine in details.
As we have seen before that this is a vaccine that is used to prevent diphtheria, pertussis, tetanus, polio and HiB disease. It is used to protect children from six major diseases. It has following benefits.
· Protection.
· Quadri-valent.
· Pain.
· Lesser side effects.
· Availability.
· Trusted brand.
· Safety.
· Cost.
Protection
In terms of providing protection Quadracel vaccine is excellent. It protects children from diphtheria, pertussis, tetanus, polio.
It is found to produce adequate level of antibodies which provide the immunity against all these diseases. These are some of the major illness that can be life threatening in children less than 5 year old.
Given as per schedule Quadracel vaccine is excellent in efficacy.
Quadri-valent
Being a quadri-valent vaccine it provides protection against 4 diseases in one injection shot.
There is no need to take the vaccine for each disease separately.
This greatly reduces the number of pricks to children and increases compliance with the vaccination.
Pain
As Quadracel vaccine contains the acellular pertussis component it is less painful than DTwP vaccines which are Easysix and Pentavac.
Lesser side effects
Also with Quadracel vaccine the other common side effects like local redness and swelling, fever, irritability and decreased appetite are reduced nearly 70 percent when compared to vaccine containing DTwP.
Lesser the side effects more is the compliance with the vaccination. It disturbs the parents’ and infants’ daily schedule to minimal.
Availability
Both the Quadracel vaccine is available worldwide in many countries in private set up. It is easily available everywhere. You just need to contact your pediatrician for the appointment.
Trusted brand
Quadracel vaccine is produced by the Sanofi vaccines. It is trusted brand of vaccines for many years in fact decades.
They have that expertise to make the safe and effective vaccinations and providing it worldwide every possible precaution like maintaining the cold chain.
Safety
Quadracel has been in used for years now.
There is sufficient data about reactions and also interactions with other vaccine. All the data over the years indicates the vaccine is safe as well as effective in nearly all children.
The severe life threatening reactions like anaphylaxis are extremely rare to occur in case of Quadracel vaccine.
Cost
These vaccines are available at reasonable cost.
Their cost may be higher when compared to other vaccine containing DTwP but that is justified provided it is very safe and effective vaccine that protects against 6 major diseases and also it is painless with lesser side effects.
So here we have tried to explain the benefits of this vaccine in details.
To whom Quadracel vaccine should not be given?
Contraindications of this vaccine are very few and very rare to occur. If someone has shown anaphylaxis after previous dose of the vaccine this vaccine is contraindicated. If someone is known to be allergic to any of its component this vaccine should be avoided. If someone is suffering from neurological disease that is progressive in nature this vaccine should be avoided.