Six-in-One Pediatric Combo Vaccine Available in the USA

The six-in-one combination vaccine for Diphtheria and Tetanus Toxoids and Acellular Pertussis, Inactivated Poliovirus, Haemophilus b Conjugate, and Hepatitis B Vaccine known as VAXELIS is now available in the USA.

VAXELIS was approved for use as a 3-dose series in children 6 weeks through 4 years of age (before the 5th birthday).

On February 11, 2021, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Advisory Committee included VAXELIS as a combination vaccine option in the CDC’s Recommended Child and Adolescent Immunization Schedule.

This pediatric combo vaccine was developed from a partnership between Merck and Sanofi Pasteur.

“Given the potential to reduce the number of shots by as many as three in the first six months of life, as compared to pentavalent vaccines plus hepatitis B or Haemophilus influenzae type b vaccines, VAXELIS represents an important option for healthcare professionals and parents,” said Joanne Monahan, SVP, U.S. Vaccines, Merck, in a press release issued on June 1, 2021.

VAXELIS will be widely available in the USA through traditional public and private channels, including directly from Sanofi Pasteur.

Do not administer VAXELIS to anyone with a history of severe allergic reaction to a previous dose of VAXELIS, any ingredient of VAXELIS, or any other diphtheria toxoid, tetanus toxoid, pertussis-containing vaccine, inactivated poliovirus vaccine, hepatitis B vaccine, or H. influenzae type b vaccine, anyone with a history of encephalopathy within 7 days of a pertussis-containing vaccine with no other identifiable cause, or anyone with a history of a progressive neurologic disorder until a treatment regimen has been established and the condition has stabilized.

With more than 100,000 people in 100 countries, Sanofi is transforming scientific innovation into healthcare solutions around the globe.

For more information, visit www.merck.com.