PedvaxHIB® [Haemophilus b Conjugate Vaccine (Meningococcal Protein Conjugate)]
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Storage and handling for PedvaxHIB®
[Haemophilus b Conjugate Vaccine (Meningococcal Protein Conjugate)]

Condition of PedvaxHIB on arrival

  • Should not have been frozen; refrigerate on arrival.

Storage

  • Refrigerate immediately on arrival; store vaccine at 2°C to 8°C (36°F–46°F); DO NOT FREEZE.

Handling

  • Shake well before withdrawal and use. Thorough agitation is necessary to maintain suspension of the vaccine.
  • The vaccine should be used as supplied; no reconstitution is necessary.
  • Parenteral drug products should be inspected visually for extraneous particulate matter and discoloration prior to administration whenever solution and container permit. The vaccine is a slightly opaque, white suspension.

How supplied

Liquid PedvaxHIB

  • Box of 10 single-dose vials of liquid vaccine, NDC 0006-4897-00.

General tips for PedvaxHIB

  • If you have questions about the condition of the vaccine at the time of delivery, you should immediately place vaccine in recommended storage and call the Merck Vaccine Customer Center at 877.VAX.MERCK (877.829.6372).1
  • Rotate stock so that the shortest-dated vaccine is used first.1
  • Ensure that the refrigerator is plugged into an outlet in a protected area where it cannot be disconnected accidentally.1
  • It is important to use a separate sterile syringe and needle for each individual patient to prevent transmission of infectious agents from one person to another.
  • Individual projects and state/local health department immunization programs may have specific requirements for providers who receive Vaccines for Children Program vaccines or other vaccines purchased with public funds. Consult your immunization program for more information.1
  • For general questions concerning the proper storage and handling of Merck vaccines, please contact the Merck Vaccine Customer Helpline at 800.MERCK.90 (800.637.2590), Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 7:00 PM ET.

Hib, Haemophilus influenzae type b.

Reference

  1. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Vaccine Storage and Handling Toolkit. Published January 11, 2023. Accessed January 9, 2024. https://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/hcp/admin/storage/toolkit/storage-handling-toolkit.pdf

Indications and Usage for PedvaxHIB® [Haemophilus b conjugate vaccine (Meningococcal protein conjugate)]

PedvaxHIB is indicated for routine vaccination against invasive disease caused by Haemophilus influenzae type b in infants and children 2 to 71 months of age.

 

PedvaxHIB will not protect against disease caused by Haemophilus influenzae other than type b or against other microorganisms that cause invasive disease such as meningitis or sepsis.

 

As with any vaccine, vaccination may not result in a protective antibody response in all individuals given the vaccine.

 

Because of the potential for immune tolerance, PedvaxHIB IS NOT RECOMMENDED FOR USE IN INFANTS YOUNGER THAN 6 WEEKS OF AGE.

 

Revaccination

 

Infants completing the primary 2-dose regimen before 12 months of age should receive a booster dose. (See Dosage and Administration)

Selected Safety Information for PedvaxHIB® [Haemophilus b conjugate vaccine (Meningococcal protein conjugate)]

PedvaxHIB is contraindicated in patients with hypersensitivity to any component of the vaccine. Persons who develop symptoms suggestive of hypersensitivity after an injection should not receive further injections of the vaccine or the diluent.

 

As for any vaccine, adequate treatment provisions, including epinephrine, should be available for immediate use should an anaphylactoid reaction occur.

 

Use caution when vaccinating latex-sensitive individuals since the vial stopper contains dry natural latex rubber that may cause allergic reactions.

 

As with other vaccines, PedvaxHIB may not induce protective antibody levels immediately following vaccination.

 

There is insufficient evidence that PedvaxHIB given immediately after exposure to natural Haemophilus influenzae type b will prevent illness.

 

If PedvaxHIB is used in persons with malignancies or those receiving immunosuppressive therapy or who are otherwise immunocompromised, the expected immune response may not be obtained.

 

Special Populations

 

Animal reproduction studies have not been conducted with PedvaxHIB. Liquid PedvaxHIB is not recommended for use in individuals 6 years of age and older.

 

Geriatric use: This vaccine is NOT recommended for use in adult populations.

 

In clinical trials, the most frequently reported (>1%) adverse reactions, without regard to causality, were fever (≥101°F), irritability, sleepiness, injection-site pain/soreness, injection-site erythema (≤2.5 cm diameter), injection-site swelling/induration (≤2.5 cm diameter), unusual high-pitched crying, prolonged crying (>4 hours), diarrhea, vomiting, crying, pain, otitis media, rash, and upper respiratory infection.

 

The following additional adverse reactions have been reported with the use of the marketed vaccine: lymphadenopathy; rarely, angioedema; febrile seizures; sterile injection-site abscess.

 

Dosage and Administration for PedvaxHIB

 

PedvaxHIB is administered in a 2-dose primary regimen before 14 months of age. Infants 2 to 14 months of age should receive a 0.5 mL dose of vaccine, ideally beginning at 2 months of age, followed by a 0.5 mL dose 2 months later (or as soon as possible thereafter). When the primary 2-dose regimen is completed before 12 months of age, a booster dose (0.5 mL) should be administered at 12 to 15 months, but not earlier than 2 months after the second dose.

 

Infants born prematurely, regardless of birth weight, should be vaccinated at the same chronological age and according to the same schedule and precautions as full-term infants and children.

 

Children 15 months of age and older previously unvaccinated against Hib disease should receive a single 0.5 mL dose of vaccine.

 

PedvaxHIB may be interchanged with other licensed Haemophilus b conjugate vaccines for the primary and booster doses. If PedvaxHIB is given in a series with one of the other products licensed for infants, the recommended number of doses to complete the primary series is determined by the other product and not by PedvaxHIB. PedvaxHIB may be interchanged with other licensed Haemophilus b conjugate vaccines for the booster dose.

 

Before administering PedvaxHIB, please read the accompanying Prescribing information.

Indications and Usage for PedvaxHIB

PedvaxHIB is indicated for routine vaccination against invasive disease caused by Haemophilus influenzae type b in infants and children 2 to 71 months of age.

 

PedvaxHIB will not protect against disease caused by Haemophilus influenzae other than type b or against other microorganisms that cause invasive disease such as meningitis or sepsis.

 

As with any vaccine, vaccination may not result in a protective antibody response in all individuals given the vaccine.

 

Because of the potential for immune tolerance, PedvaxHIB IS NOT RECOMMENDED FOR USE IN INFANTS YOUNGER THAN 6 WEEKS OF AGE.

 

Revaccination

 

Infants completing the primary 2-dose regimen before 12 months of age should receive a booster dose. (See Dosage and Administration)

PedvaxHIB is indicated for routine vaccination against invasive disease caused

PedvaxHIB is indicated for routine vaccination against invasive disease caused by Haemophilus influenzae type b in infants and children 2 to 71 months of age.

 

PedvaxHIB will not protect against disease caused by Haemophilus influenzae other than type b or against other microorganisms that cause invasive disease such as meningitis or sepsis.

Selected Safety Information for PedvaxHIB® [Haemophilus b conjugate vaccine (Meningococcal protein conjugate)]

PedvaxHIB is contraindicated in patients with hypersensitivity to any component of the vaccine. Persons who develop symptoms suggestive of hypersensitivity after an injection should not receive further injections of the vaccine or the diluent.

 

As for any vaccine, adequate treatment provisions, including epinephrine, should be available for immediate use should an anaphylactoid reaction occur.

 

Use caution when vaccinating latex-sensitive individuals since the vial stopper contains dry natural latex rubber that may cause allergic reactions.

 

As with other vaccines, PedvaxHIB may not induce protective antibody levels immediately following vaccination.

 

There is insufficient evidence that PedvaxHIB given immediately after exposure to natural Haemophilus influenzae type b will prevent illness.

 

If PedvaxHIB is used in persons with malignancies or those receiving immunosuppressive therapy or who are otherwise immunocompromised, the expected immune response may not be obtained.

 

Special Populations

 

Animal reproduction studies have not been conducted with PedvaxHIB. Liquid PedvaxHIB is not recommended for use in individuals 6 years of age and older.

 

Geriatric use: This vaccine is NOT recommended for use in adult populations.

 

In clinical trials, the most frequently reported (>1%) adverse reactions, without regard to causality, were fever (≥101°F), irritability, sleepiness, injection-site pain/soreness, injection-site erythema (≤2.5 cm diameter), injection-site swelling/induration (≤2.5 cm diameter), unusual high-pitched crying, prolonged crying (>4 hours), diarrhea, vomiting, crying, pain, otitis media, rash, and upper respiratory infection.

 

The following additional adverse reactions have been reported with the use of the marketed vaccine: lymphadenopathy; rarely, angioedema; febrile seizures; sterile injection-site abscess.

 

Dosage and Administration for PedvaxHIB

 

PedvaxHIB is administered in a 2-dose primary regimen before 14 months of age. Infants 2 to 14 months of age should receive a 0.5 mL dose of vaccine, ideally beginning at 2 months of age, followed by a 0.5 mL dose 2 months later (or as soon as possible thereafter). When the primary 2-dose regimen is completed before 12 months of age, a booster dose (0.5 mL) should be administered at 12 to 15 months, but not earlier than 2 months after the second dose.

 

Infants born prematurely, regardless of birth weight, should be vaccinated at the same chronological age and according to the same schedule and precautions as full-term infants and children.

 

Children 15 months of age and older previously unvaccinated against Hib disease should receive a single 0.5 mL dose of vaccine.

 

PedvaxHIB may be interchanged with other licensed Haemophilus b conjugate vaccines for the primary and booster doses. If PedvaxHIB is given in a series with one of the other products licensed for infants, the recommended number of doses to complete the primary series is determined by the other product and not by PedvaxHIB. PedvaxHIB may be interchanged with other licensed Haemophilus b conjugate vaccines for the booster dose.

 

Before administering PedvaxHIB, please read the accompanying Prescribing information.

PedvaxHIB is contraindicated in patients with hypersensitivity to any

PedvaxHIB is contraindicated in patients with hypersensitivity to any component of the vaccine. Persons who develop symptoms suggestive of hypersensitivity after an injection should not receive further injections of the vaccine or the diluent.