Hepatitis b vaccine Intramuscular and Pediarix

• Generic Name: hepatitis b adult vaccine
• Dosage Forms: n.a.
• Other Brand Names: Engerix-B, Heplisav-B, Recombivax HB Adult, Recombivax HB Dialysis Formulation

Hepatitis B vaccine recombinant is used to prevent infection by the hepatitis B virus. The vaccine works by causing your body to produce its own protection (antibodies) against the disease.

Hepatitis B vaccine recombinant is made without any human blood or blood products or any other substances of human origin. It cannot give you the hepatitis B virus (HBV) or the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV).

HBV infection is a major cause of serious liver diseases, such as hepatitis and cirrhosis, and a type of liver cancer called primary hepatocellular carcinoma.

Pregnant women who have hepatitis B infection or are carriers of hepatitis B virus can give the disease to their babies when they are born. These babies often suffer serious long-term illnesses from the disease.

Immunization against hepatitis B disease is recommended for all newborn babies, infants, children, and adolescents up to 19 years of age. It is also recommended for adults who live in areas that have a high rate of hepatitis B disease or who may be at increased risk of infection from hepatitis B virus. These adults include:

• Sexually active homosexual and bisexual males, including those with HIV infection.
• Sexually active heterosexual persons with multiple partners.
• Persons who may be exposed to the virus by means of blood, blood products, or human bites, such as health care workers, employees in medical facilities, patients and staff of live-in facilities and daycare programs for the developmentally disabled, morticians and embalmers, police and fire department personnel, and military personnel.
• Persons who have kidney disease or who undergo blood dialysis for kidney disease.
• Persons with blood clotting disorders who receive transfusions of clotting-factor concentrates.
• Household and sexual contacts of HBV carriers.
• Persons in areas with high risk of HBV infection [in the population], such as Alaskan Eskimos, Pacific Islanders, Haitian and Indochinese immigrants, and refugees from areas that have a high rate of hepatitis B disease; persons accepting orphans or adoptees from these areas; and travelers to these areas.
• Persons who use illegal injection drugs.
• Prisoners.

This vaccine is available only from your doctor or other authorized health care professional.

• Generic Name: diphtheria toxoid / hepatitis b pediatric vaccine / pertussis, acellular / poliovirus vaccine, inactivated / tetanus toxoid
• Dosage Forms: injection
• Other Brand Names: Pediarix

Pediarix vaccine is used to help prevent diphtheria, hepatitis B, pertussis, polio and tetanus in children who are ages 6 weeks to 6 years old, before the child has reached his or her 7th birthday.

Diphtheria, pertussis, and tetanus are serious diseases caused by bacteria. Diphtheria causes a thick coating in the nose, throat, and airways. It can lead to breathing problems, paralysis, heart failure, or death. Pertussis (whooping cough) causes coughing so severe that it interferes with eating, drinking, or breathing. These spells can last for weeks and can lead to pneumonia, seizures (convulsions), brain damage, and death. Tetanus (lockjaw) causes painful tightening of the muscles, usually all over the body. It can lead to "locking" of the jaw so the victim cannot open the mouth or swallow. Tetanus leads to death in about 1 out of 10 cases.

Hepatitis B and polio are serious diseases caused by viruses. Hepatitis B is a disease of the liver that is spread through blood or bodily fluids, sexual contact or sharing IV drug needles with an infected person, or during childbirth when the mother is infected. Hepatitis causes inflammation of the liver, vomiting, and jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes). Hepatitis can lead to liver cancer, cirrhosis, or death. Polio affects the central nervous system and spinal cord. It can cause muscle weakness and paralysis. Polio is a life-threatening condition because it can paralyze the muscles that help you breathe.

Diphtheria, hepatitis B, pertussis, and polio are spread from person to person. Tetanus enters the body through a cut or wound.

Pediarix works by exposing your child to a small dose of the bacteria or virus, which causes the body to develop immunity to the disease. Pediarix will not treat an active infection that has already developed in the body.

Like any vaccine, Pediarix vaccine may not provide protection from disease in every person.