Vaccinations 5 in 1 – action, dosage, price, contraindications

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The 5-in-1 vaccine, also known as the 5-valent vaccine, is a combination vaccine. This means that vaccinations preventing several diseases have been combined in one preparation. The use of the product is payable, although the vaccine immunizes against diseases included in the mandatory vaccination schedule. What diseases does the 5-in-1 vaccine protect against and when should it be chosen?

5 in 1 vaccine – for what diseases?

The 5in1 vaccine is a specific type of preparation that allows you to perform several compulsory vaccinations in a child with a limited number of injections. One dose of such a vaccine contains five different antigens. Full immunity requires four doses at the intervals specified in the vaccination schedule.

Vaccination with 5-in-1 preparation is used to protect the child against five diseases:

1. diphtheria – a disease also known as diphtheria, spreads by airborne droplets and skin contact, can lead to serious complications and requires hospital treatment;
2. tetanus – you can get infected with it when we contaminate a wound or cut with a tetanus stick, which may exist, for example, in the soil;
3. polio – or Heine-Medin disease, which can lead to nerve paralysis, limb paresis, permanent motor disability, and even death;
4. whooping cough – a disease also known as whooping cough, it is transmitted by droplets, causes, among others, cough, runny nose, shortness of breath and apnea with convulsions;
5. Haemophilus influenzae type B (HiB), a bacterial infection that is easily passed between children in community settings such as nurseries and kindergartens; can lead to sepsis, meningitis, and pneumonia.

The 5-in-1 vaccine does not include vaccination against hepatitis B. When deciding on a five-valent vaccination scheme, remember that the child will receive a dose of hepatitis B vaccine free of charge in a separate injection. The alternative is the 6-in-1 vaccine, which contains all of the above ingredients, including hepatitis B.

1. Read more: Mandatory vaccinations for children – what should you remember?

Compulsory vaccinations – what do you need to know?

In Poland, the compulsory vaccination program is adhered to. Parents and guardians are required by law to vaccinate their children, and failure to do so is punishable by a fine. Specific diseases are compulsory to vaccinate, and vaccines from this group are administered free of charge.

The vaccination schedule is used to protect society against the spread of infectious diseases. Indeed, universal vaccination programs have significantly minimized the incidence of formerly common diseases, including polio (included in the 5-in-1 vaccine) and measles (the MMR vaccine). Compulsory vaccinations apply to children and adolescents up to 19 years of age, as well as adults belonging to high-risk groups.

It is also worth remembering about the second group of vaccinations, i.e. recommended vaccinations. There is no obligation to perform them, and you need to cover the cost of administering the selected preparation. However, these vaccinations are recommended because they can protect you from serious illnesses or their complications:

1. Rotavirus vaccination.
2. Vaccination against hepatitis A.
3. Meningococcal vaccine – dates, complications and price of vaccinations.
4. HPV vaccine – why is it worth getting vaccinated?

The difference between 5-in-1 vaccination and free vaccinations

Among people accepting preventive vaccinations, opinions about the 5-in-1 vaccination are positive. First of all, it differs from free vaccinations in the level of safety. Modern 5-valent vaccine it has cell-free pertussis antigens, which reduces the burden on the immune system. Unfortunately, this advantage is also a weak point of the vaccine. The free DTPw preparation with whole cell pertussis, unlike the classic vaccine, also gives immunity to the carrier.

The 5-in-1 vaccine does not contain the infamous thiomersal (ethyl mercury), a preservative used in old-generation preparations. Although it was a harmless substance that appeared in small amounts in vaccines and did not build up in the body, it caused concern for some. The unquestionable advantage of highly combined vaccines (5in1 and 6in1) is therefore their composition, which should not raise any concerns.

Moreover, these modern vaccines reduce the risk of adverse vaccine reactions (NOPs). It is also worth mentioning that if a child develops a vaccine reaction, it is milder than with traditional vaccinations.

Another advantage of using this preparation is the fact that a child has almost half the number of punctures during the obligatory immunization cycle. By opting for a paid version 5-in-1 vaccination scheduleTogether with free vaccinations, the child will receive a total of 14 punctures, in the case of free preparations, it will be as many as 21.

Dosage – vaccination calendar

The administration of highly combined vaccines is regulated by the preventive vaccination program established by the GIS. This means that the administration of the 5in1 vaccine should also be performed as indicated. Following these rules will enable your child to acquire immunity early enough and avoid getting sick in the most dangerous period of life. When choosing vaccination with the 5-in-1 preparation, the vaccination schedule will be implemented according to a specific schedule. Subsequent doses are given to your child at a certain age:

1. 1st dose – in the second month of the child’s life;
2. 2nd dose – in the fourth month of the child’s life;
3. 3rd dose – between the fifth and sixth months of the child’s life;
4. 4th dose – between 16 and 18 months of age.

What is the price of the 5-in-1 vaccine?

The 5in1 vaccine is a paid preparation. If we do not want to spend money, remember that mandatory vaccines administered in the traditional form are reimbursed and we will make them for free.

5-in-1 vaccine price depends on the pharmacy. Usually, the cost of one dose of the preparation ranges from PLN 120–160. Some health clinics offer to buy the vaccine on the spot, others give you a prescription, and you should bring the vaccine with you to your visit to the clinic. If the caregivers decide on the 6-in-1 combination vaccine, its price may be on average PLN 200 per dose.

When does the National Health Fund refund the preparation?

Although 5-in-1 vaccinations are usually paid, the exceptions are premature babies and children at risk. In such cases, a polyvalent vaccine can be obtained from the National Health Fund for free. Any doubts regarding the obligation to vaccinate and reimbursed vaccines will be resolved by the family doctor or pediatrician.

The disadvantages of 5-in-1 combined vaccination

The main issue that may discourage you from choosing the 5in1 vaccination is the need to pay for it out of your own pocket. The full package (four doses) costs several hundred zlotys. The price may scare off the more that free vaccinations are an alternative.

The undoubted downside is also the availability of combination vaccines. There are only two available on the market 5-in-1 vaccines (DTaP-IPV + Hib) and it may not be available at the pharmacy. The same problem applies to 6-in-1 vaccines.

Another problem is the nature of the multi-component preparation. By administering vaccines in separate lines, it is possible to determine which has caused the vaccine reaction. In the case of the presence of many antigens in one dose of the 5in1 vaccine, it is impossible to identify the cause of a possible adverse reaction.

In recent years, you hear a lot about vaccination being linked to autism. However, there are no reliable studies that link vaccines to this congenital disease. The myth about the dangers of vaccination is being repeated by the anti-vaccination movement.

Contraindications to the 5in1 vaccination

As with all vaccinations, some contraindications must also be considered for the 5-valent vaccine. It is safest to discuss them with your GP or pediatrician. Usually recommended temporary postponement of vaccinationif your child has or has just had an infection with a high fever. Also, the intensification of symptoms related to a chronic disease is a temporary contraindication to the procedure.

A more serious contraindication is a severe allergic reaction to the previous dose of the vaccine. If it was mild and, for example, only associated with a slight rash, you can usually give another dose. The advantage of the 5in1 vaccine is the lack of contraindications in the case of immunodeficiency in a child, because the preparation does not contain live bacteria.