Combined and highly-associated vaccinations – types, disadvantages, advantages and prices

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Combined and highly-associated vaccinations are gaining more and more popularity among parents of vaccinated children. The administration of this type of vaccines allows to reduce the number of punctures and immunize the child against several diseases at the same time. What are combined and highly combined vaccinations. Can such vaccinations be given to every child? How much do such vaccines cost?

What is combination vaccination?

Combination vaccine is a type of vaccination in which a child is given a combination of several antigens from microorganisms that cause infectious diseases at once. One of the longest-used and best-known vaccines is the DTP vaccine, which immunizes the child’s body against diphtheria, tetanus and pertussis. Parents of young children may also opt for the MMR vaccine, which is designed to build up immunity against measles, mumps and rubella. DTP and MMR vaccines belong to the group of compulsory vaccinations and they are free.

More information about the DTP vaccine can be found here: DTP vaccine – characteristics, vaccination schedule, side effects

What are highly combined vaccinations?

Over the past 20 years, vaccines which are called highly associated vaccines have been developed. Briefly speaking, they can be described as extended versions of combination vaccines. Among the highly combined vaccinations, there are quadrivalent, pentivalent and hexavalent vaccines. These three highly combined vaccinations share one common basis, that is, the DTP vaccination set against diphtheria, tetanus and pertussis.

In addition, high-combination vaccination protects the child against polio, Haemophilus influenzae type b and hepatitis B. Compared to conventional combined vaccines, 6-in-1 vaccinations reduce the number of punctures from 19 to 10, and in the case of 5-in-1 vaccinations from 19 to 12.

An important piece of information is that the combination vaccines contain the acellular component of whooping cough, while standard DTP vaccinations include whole pertussis cells.

If you want to know more about the 6-in-1 vaccine, see here: 6-in-1 vaccinations – why do parents choose them?

Types and characteristics of combined and highly combined vaccines

There are 5 types of combined and highly combined vaccines in total.

Combined vaccines:

1. DTP combination vaccine – is a vaccine against whooping cough, diphtheria and tetanus. It belongs to the group of non-live vaccines, so it contains inactive toxins of diphtheria, tetanus and whole pertussis. Depending on the component against whooping cough, there are two types of vaccine. Whole cell vaccine contains whole, compacted pertussis bacteria. It is offered free of charge as part of the immunization program and is intended for all children in the first two years of life. The second type is an acellular vaccine that does not contain whole bacterial cells but only a few purified pertussis proteins;
2. Combined MMR vaccine – this is a vaccine against measles, mumps and rubella. The MMR vaccine contains live but weakened viruses that do not cause disease but stimulate the child’s immunity. There are 3 types of MMR vaccine, namely MMRVAX Pro, Priorix and Priorix-Tetra. The latter additionally contains antigens against chickenpox.

Highly combined vaccines:

1. DTaP-IPV tetravalent vaccine (4 in 1) immunizing against diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis, poliomyelitis;
2. DTaP-IPV + Hib pentivalent vaccine (5 in 1) immunizing against diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis, poliomyelitis, Haemophilus influenzae type b;
3. DTaP-IPV + Hib + HBV hexavalent vaccine (6 in 1) immunizing against diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis, poliomyelitis, Haemophilus influenzae type b, hepatitis B.

What is worth knowing about compulsory vaccinations? Check: Mandatory vaccinations – everything you need to know

Combined and highly combined vaccines – contraindications

Despite the many advantages of combination and highly combination vaccines, they cannot be given to every child. Before each immunization, the doctor should examine the child and carefully interview the parents in order to correctly diagnose the child’s health.

If the child has an acute infection and has a fever, the combined vaccination and the combined vaccination should be postponed. Moreover, a contraindication to administration of the vaccine is the child’s allergy to any component of the preparation. A child cannot be vaccinated if he or she is taking medications that suppress the immune system or suffers from poor blood clotting.

You can read more about contraindications to child vaccination here: When not to vaccinate a child? Contraindications to vaccinations

Combined and highly combined vaccines – advantages

Proponents of combined and highly combined vaccines note the numerous advantages of this method of immunizing children against microorganisms. Among the positives of this type of vaccine are:

1. providing immunity to more than one infectious disease;
2. reducing the number of punctures in the child’s vaccination schedule – from 19 injections, 12 are left in the case of the combined 5-in-1 vaccination and 10 in the case of the 6-in-1 vaccination;
3. lower frequency of visits and consultations with the doctor;
4. content of the so-called a cell-free antigen, which is better tolerated by the child’s body and results in fewer post-vaccination reactions.

Combined and highly combined vaccines – disadvantages

Combined and highly-combined vaccines, despite their advantages, are often criticized by parents who indicate their negative effects. The disadvantages of combined and highly combined vaccines include:

1. combined vaccinations are not reimbursed by the National Health Fund, therefore parents have to invest their own money;
2. if a child develops a vaccine reaction after combination vaccination, it is much more difficult to diagnose which antigen has been reacted by the child’s immune system;
3. combination vaccines contain thiomersal, a chemical compound in which mercury is present. It is in the anti-vaccine movement that forms the basis for the assumption that combination vaccines contribute to autism in their children. Medical specialists are far from such conclusions as studies have not shown such an effect. On the other hand, the very occurrence of autism during the period of administration of the combined vaccine is associated with the fact that the disease appears at the same age of the child in which, according to the vaccination schedule, specific vaccines should be administered.

You can find more information about the advantages and disadvantages of combined and highly combined vaccines here: Combined vaccines – advantages and disadvantages of 5-in-1 and 6-in-1 vaccinations

How much does combined and highly combined vaccination cost?

Combined vaccinations, such as the DTP or MMR vaccine, belong to the group of compulsory vaccinations and are reimbursed by the National Health Fund. Highly combined vaccines, on the other hand, in addition to compulsory vaccinations, contain antigens for recommended vaccinations. Therefore, high-combination vaccines are paid.

1. Highly combined vaccine 5in1 – it is a vaccine that protects against diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis, polio and Haemophilus influenzae type b. Pentaxim vaccine is available in Poland, which is administered to a child in four doses. The first dose is given in the second month of life, the second dose between three and four months, the next between five and six months, and the last dose just before eighteen months of age. One dose of the 5-in-1 vaccine costs about PLN 130-150. Therefore, for the entire vaccination cycle you should pay about PLN 520-600. It is worth noting that the 5-in-1 combined vaccine is reimbursed in the case of children born prematurely.
2. Highly combined vaccine 6in1 – it is a vaccine that protects against diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis, polio, Haemophilus influenzae type b and hepatitis B. Infanrix hexa vaccine is available in Poland, which is administered in 4 doses. One dose of the vaccine costs about PLN 180-200. This means that the full vaccination course costs PLN 720-800.

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