The 6-in-1 vaccine, also commonly known as the DTaP/IPV/Hib/HepB vaccine, helps protect your child against diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis (whooping cough), polio, Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib) and hepatitis B. Babies can contract these serious diseases from the time of birth. It is therefore important to protect them as soon as possible.
The DTaP/IPV/Hib/HepB vaccine is usually given to babies at 8, 12 and 16 weeks of age.
Against what diseases does the 6N1 protect?
Diphtheria
Diphtheria is an illness caused by bacteria (germs). It produces a poison (toxin) that kills cells in the lining of the throat and causes serious breathing problems. It can also attack the heart, nerves and kidneys. The mortality of diptheria is very high, about 1 in 10 persons with diphtheria will die from the illness. Babies are even more likely to die should they contact diphtheria. People who get diphtheria do not always become immune, therefore everyone needs to be vaccinated.
Tetanus
Tetanus is also called lockjaw. Tetanus is caused by bacteria that Is found in dirt and dust as spores (seed-like cells). These bacteria live in the intestines (bowels) of people and animals and can be found in stool.
Tetanus is not contagious. It does not spread from person to person.
If the tetanus germ gets into an open cut, like a puncture, bite, or serious burn, poison (toxin) from the germ can spread to your nerves and then to your muscles. Muscles may lock in one place or go into a spasm (get very tight) which can be very painful and may result in long lasting problems involving speech, memory, and cognition.
Jaw muscles are often the first affected. If infected, you may not be able to open your mouth. If the poison gets to the muscles that help you breathe, this can be fatal.
Pertussis
This is also called whooping cough. Pertussis is caused by germs that get into the throat and lungs and makes it difficult to clear mucous from the airways. This can cause children to cough so long and so hard that they cannot breathe. Infants may not be able to cough forcefully enough and consequently may stop breathing.
Babies with whooping cough may have fits (seizures) and in serious cases, can go into a coma.
This is a very serious condition, about 1 in 400 infants with pertussis die because of pneumonia or brain damage. Coughing disturbs sleep and may be severe enough to cause a rib fracture, a hernia, or loss of control of urine.
Polio
Polio is an infection caused by a virus called poliovirus. About 1 in every 100 people who contract the virus will get it in a severe form, which may causes paralysis (not able to move arms or legs). Polio is an extremely serious disease and prior to the development of the vaccine, people died in large numbers due to polio. Those who contracted polio and survived, were left paralyzed and lived with disabilities for the rest of their lives.
Symptoms may include fever, sore throat, headache, muscle aches and pains, drowsiness, loss of appetite, nausea, vomiting, stomach pain and constipation. It can also cause meningitis (headache and stiffness in the neck and back).
Hib - Haemophilius Influenza Type B
Despite its name, it has nothing to do with the flu. Hib is a bacterium that starts in the nose or throat and can infect almost any other part of the body, such as the brain, lungs, heart, joints, bones and skin. It can cause a very serious disease called meningitis when it infects the fluid and covering of the brain and spinal cord. Without treatment, all children with Hib meningitis die. Even with treatment, about 1 in 20 children with Hib meningitis will die and about 1 in 3 children who live will have permanent brain damage.
Hepatitis B
Hepatitis B (HepB) is a virus that infects the liver. Many people with HepB infections have no symptoms and don’t know that they are infected. Others have flu-like symptoms and yellowing of the skin (jaundice).
In children, HepB can persist for years and may eventually cause serious liver damage.
When should babies receive the 6-in-1 vaccine?
The 6-in-1 vaccine is given to babies when they're 8, 12 and 16 weeks old. Babies need 3 doses to make sure that they develop strong immunity. Every time that another dose of the vaccine is given, your baby's immune response increases. Speak to your doctor to discuss where your child can get the vaccine at the scheduled times.
How the 6-in-1 vaccine is given
The 6-in-1 vaccine is injected into your baby's thigh.
6-in-1 vaccine safety
The 6-in-1 vaccine is very safe. It is killed (inactivated), which means it does not contain any live organisms, so there is no risk of your baby getting the conditions from the vaccine.
Side effects of the 6-in-1 vaccine
The 6-in-1 vaccine has few side effects. Common reactions include:
pain, redness and swelling where the injection was given;
high temperature (more common after the 2nd and 3rd doses);
being sick;
irritability; and
loss of appetite.
Unusual high-pitched crying and fits or seizures are rare side effects of the 6-in1 vaccine. Very rarely, a baby may have a severe allergic reaction (anaphylaxis) after the 6-in-1 vaccine.
Take Home message
It is important to ensure that your baby gets vaccinated to get immunity against these dangerous diseases. Despite the common myths that vaccines cause autism, there has not been any evidence to support these claims and vaccination remains the best line of defense against these diseases.
This article is written by Dr. Itumeleng Buti (MBChB)
References:
1. NHS UK. 6-in-1 vaccine overview. [Internet] [Updated 2019 June 11; Cited 2022 April 15] Available from: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/vaccinations/6-in-1-infant-vaccine.
2. Canadian Pediatric Society.5-in-1 or 6-in-1 vaccine. [Internet] [Updated 2021 May; Cited 2022 April 15] Available from: https://caringforkids.cps.ca/handouts/immunization/5-in-1-or-6-in-1-vaccine.
3. Maman K, Zöllner Y, Greco D, Duru G, Sendyona S, Remy V. The value of childhood combination vaccines: from beliefs to evidence. Human vaccines & immunotherapeutics. 2015 Sep 2;11(9):2132-41.
4. NHS Inform. The 6-in-1 vaccine. [Internet] Public Health Scotland. [ Updated 2022 April 15; Cited April 15] Available from: https://www.nhsinform.scot/healthy-living/immunisation/vaccines/the-6-in-1-vaccine.
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