top of page

Pediarix

This vaccine protects against diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis, hepatitis B, and polio

Ingredients:

Active ingredients:

Diphtheria toxoid, tetanus toxoid, inactivated pertussis toxin, hepatitis B surface antigen, inactivated poliovirus virus, filamentous hemagglutinin (a cell surface protein), and pertactin (outer membrane protein)

Inactive ingredients:
Amounts are based on a 0.5 mL dose

Salts: help maintain the stability and pH of the vaccine

Adjuvants: strengthen the immune response to the vaccine

Antibiotics: used to prevent contamination during manufacturing

Other:

Relevant terms

  • Antibiotics: substances that kill bacteria or prevent them from dividing. Antibiotics are used in some vaccines to prevent contamination during the manufacturing process.

  • Antibody: a protein made by the immune system in response to a foreign particle (antigen). These proteins circulate in the blood and help defend the body against the substance

  • Antigen: This is any substance that triggers the immune system to create antibodies. For example, allergens such as pollen are antigens

  • Antitoxin: an antibody that neutralizes toxins

  • Bacterium: The singular of bacteria (one bacterium, two bacteria)

  • Emulsifier: a substance that helps to keep the ingredients mixed together

  • pH: a measure of how acidic or basic a solution is. The scale ranges from 0 (very acidic) to 14 (very basic). A pH of 7 is neutral.

  • Toxoid: an inactive version of a toxin produced by a bacterium. The body is able to make antitoxin without being exposed to the actual toxin. Toxoids are not toxic.

Relevant terms

Sources

Last updated: July 9, 2024

bottom of page