Considering Pentacel for 18 month old. Any scoop?

[Toposlonoshlep]

My DS has had 2 dTaps and 1 Hib, with no reactions to either.

I was previously iffy about Pentacel because it is a combo and I wouldn't know if he had a reaction to the Pertussis, Tetanus, or something else..

Now that he's had two dTaps, though, with no reaction, and I am wanting to boost his Pertussis immunity (I had it at 2 yo. when I was a kid and I remember thinking I was dying...) with all of the cases going around in Californis.

Do you think there is a chance he will react adversely to Pentacel since it will be the third dose of dTap and 2nd of Hib?

Should I just give him a dose of dTap...?

Trying to weigh the risks.

Thanks!

[SanJosemama]

If you are pro-life, you may want to know that Pentacel is made using MRC-5.
http://www.fda.gov/downloads/Biologi.../UCM109810.pdf
http://www.viromed.com/services/product/mrc5.htm

Nobody can possibly tell you ahead of time whether or not your child will react to any vaccine, even to the exact brand of vaccine that was previously given with no apparent problems.

[Toposlonoshlep]

Originally Posted by SanJosemama

If you are pro-life, you may want to know that Pentacel is made using MRC-5.
http://www.fda.gov/downloads/Biologi.../UCM109810.pdf
http://www.viromed.com/services/product/mrc5.htm

Nobody can possibly tell you ahead of time whether or not your child will react to any vaccine, even to the exact brand of vaccine that was previously given with no apparent problems.

Good to know about the MRC-5. I was just wondering whether it is often the case that children have adverse reactions with third or fourth doses after showing absolutely no reaction with the first couple, or whether usually a small reaction leads to a more threatening one.

[carriebft]

There is always a chance of a local reaction to DTaP the further along in the doses you get, but there is really no way to tell if you will get a bump on the site based on having no reaction now. Hib works well with DtaP and they have been tested together a lot with no issues. We chose to do those two together because of that; they are important to us and they work well together. Pentacel is something we are looking into for our new babe because we also do IPV, so getting them together would be nice. Also, pentacel has down less reactivity than the singles it contains, so I like that.

[Marnica]

There is always a chance of ANY reaction (not just local) to ANY vaccine at ANY time. Anyone who tells you otherwise is lying to you.

I know moms who have reported increased reactions as doses went along and I've know moms who have reporetd no reactions whatsoever to dose 1 and 2 and then a horrible one to 3....Doesn't mean it will happen, but it absolutely can and there is no way of telling if it will beforehand.