Hexaxim Special Precautions

Talk to the doctor, pharmacist or nurse before vaccination if the child: Has a moderate or high temperature or an acute illness (e.g. fever, sore throat, cough, cold or flu). Vaccination with HEXAXIM may need to be delayed until the child is better; has had any of the following events after receiving a pertussis vaccine, as the decision to give further doses of pertussis containing vaccine will need to be carefully considered: fever of 40°C or above within 48 hours not due to another identifiable cause, collapse or shock-like state with hypotonic-hyporesponsive episode (drop in energy) within 48 hours of vaccination, fits (convulsions) with or without fever, occurring within 3 days of vaccination; previously had Guillain-Barre syndrome (temporary inflammation of nerves causing pain, paralysis and sensitivity disorders) or brachial neuritis (severe pain and decreased mobility of arm and shoulder) after being given a vaccine containing tetanus toxoid (an inactivated form of tetanus toxin). In this case, the decision to give any further vaccine containing tetanus toxoid should be evaluated by the doctor; is having a treatment that suppresses the immune system (the body's natural defenses) or has any disease that causes the weakness of the immune system. In these cases the immune response to the vaccine may be decreased. It is normally recommended to wait until the end of the treatment or disease before vaccinating. However children with long standing problems with their immune system such as HIV infection (AIDS) may still be given HEXAXIM but the protection may not be as good as in children whose immune system is healthy; suffers from acute or chronic illness including chronic renal insufficiency or failure (inability of the kidneys to work properly); suffers from any undiagnosed illness of the brain or epilepsy which is not controlled. The doctor will assess the potential benefit offered by vaccination; has any problems with the blood that cause easy bruising or bleeding for a long time after minor cuts. The doctor will advise whether the child should have HEXAXIM.