Acthib (Pf)

(Acthib (pf)) This vaccine helps protect young children from Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib) infection. Hib is a bacterial infection that can cause serious illness, including brain infection (meningitis). Children younger than age 5 are at highest risk for infection. Vaccination is the best way to protect against this life-threatening disease. Vaccines work by causing the body to produce its own protection (antibodies). This vaccine is not usually used by children over the age of 4 or in adults.

Read all vaccine information available from your health care professional before receiving the vaccine. If you have any questions, ask your health care professional. This medication is given by injection into a muscle by a health care professional. It is usually given in the upper thigh, or in the upper arm in older children. A series of injections is needed to provide the best protection. It is very important that your child receive all the injections ordered by the health care professional, or the vaccine may not work as well. Keep all scheduled medical appointments. Vaccines are usually given in a series of doses to provide the best protection. Closely follow the vaccination schedule provided by your health care professional. Keep all scheduled medical appointments. It may be helpful to mark a calendar as a reminder. There are various combinations of vaccines available. Based on your age, vaccination history, and previous reaction to vaccines, your health care professional will decide which vaccines are best for you. Discuss the risks and benefits of vaccination with your health care professional. Hib vaccine can be given at the same time as the other usual childhood vaccinations (e.g., diphtheria/tetanus/pertussis, hepatitis, polio) either in the same injection or using a separate needle and injection site, depending on the types of vaccine being given.

Before receiving this vaccination, tell the health care professional if your child is allergic to it or to any other vaccines; or if your child has any other allergies. This product may contain inactive ingredients (such as latex found in some brands), which can cause allergic reactions or other problems. Talk to your health care professional for more details. Before receiving this vaccine, tell your health care professional your child's medical history, especially of: high fever, moderate/severe acute illness, history of Guillain-Barre syndrome, immune system disorders (such as due to HIV infection, certain cancers such as leukemia/lymphoma, cancer or radiation treatment), vaccination history including previous reactions to any vaccines. Patients with Hodgkin's disease should receive the vaccine at least 10-14 days before beginning treatment or wait at least 3 months after chemotherapy is stopped. This vaccine is not recommended for use during pregnancy and is not usually used by adults. It is unknown if this vaccine passes into breast milk. This vaccine is not usually used by adults. Consult your health care professional before breast-feeding.

Drug interactions may change how your medications work or increase your risk for serious side effects. This document does not contain all possible drug interactions. Keep a list of all the products you use (including prescription/nonprescription drugs and herbal products) and share it with your health care professional. Do not start, stop, or change the dosage of any medicines without your doctor's approval. Some products that may interact with this vaccine include: drugs that weaken the immune system (including cyclosporine, tacrolimus, cancer chemotherapy, corticosteroids such as prednisone). This vaccine may interfere with certain laboratory tests, possibly causing false test results. Make sure laboratory personnel and all your child's health care professionals know if your child has recently been vaccinated.

It is important to receive each vaccination as scheduled. Be sure to make a note of when the vaccination was last given for your child's medical record.

Pain, swelling, and redness at the injection site may occur. Drowsiness, irritability/crying, loss of appetite, diarrhea, fever, or vomiting may also occur. If any of these effects persist or worsen, notify the health care professional promptly. Rarely, some people have symptoms such as fainting, dizziness, vision changes, or ringing in the ears just after getting a vaccine injection. Tell the health care professional right away if your child has any of these symptoms. Sitting or lying down may help, since these symptoms usually don't last long. Remember that this medication has been prescribed because the health care professional has judged that the benefit to your child is greater than the risk of side effects. Many people using this medication do not have serious side effects. Get medical help right away if your child has any very serious side effects, including: little or no response to touch, weak/floppy muscles. A very serious allergic reaction to this drug is rare. However, get medical help right away if you notice any symptoms of a serious allergic reaction, including: rash, itching/swelling (especially of the face/tongue/throat), severe dizziness, trouble breathing. This is not a complete list of possible side effects. If you notice other effects not listed above, contact your health care professional. Contact the health care professional for medical advice about side effects. The following numbers do not provide medical advice, but in the US you may report side effects to the Vaccine Adverse Event Reporting System (VAERS) at 1-800-822-7967. In Canada, you may call the Vaccine Safety Section at Public Health Agency of Canada at 1-866-844-0018.

Store in the refrigerator. Do not freeze. Protect from light. Keep all medications away from children and pets. Do not flush medications down the toilet or pour them into a drain unless instructed to do so. Properly discard this product when it is expired or no longer needed. Consult your pharmacist or local waste disposal company.