When and How to Get Pentacel
Some general considerations include the following:
- This vaccine is typically given as a four-dose series, given at 2, 4, 6, and 15 to 18 months of age.
- If your child has already received doses of DTaP, a Hib vaccine, or a polio vaccine, a modified Pentacel dosing schedule (perhaps with fewer doses) may be recommended.
- For children under one year of age, this vaccine is injected into a muscle (intramuscularly), usually in the thigh. In older children, the upper arm can be used.
- Children can be vaccinated if they have a minor illness, such as the common cold. However, the vaccine should be postponed if the child is moderately or severely ill.
There is only one standard recommended dosage for this vaccine, although the exact vaccination schedule may vary, depending on which vaccines the child has previously received.
(Click Pentacel Dosage for more information.)
Side Effects of Pentacel
As with any vaccine, Pentacel may cause side effects. However, not everyone who receives the vaccine will experience side effects. In fact, most children tolerate it well, with only minor side effects (if any). If side effects do occur, in most cases, they are minor and either require no treatment or can easily be treated by you or your healthcare provider. Serious side effects are less common.
Some of the most common side effects include, but are not limited to:
- Fussiness or irritability
- Inconsolable crying
- Injection site reactions such as pain, swelling, or redness
(Click Pentacel Side Effects to learn more, including potentially serious side effects that you should report immediately to your healthcare provider.)