Combination
Vaccines
A
combination vaccine consists of two or more separate
immunogens physically combined in a single preparation.
A combination vaccine gives protection from more than
one disease.
Advantages
of combination vaccines:
- It
is more convenient for parents and medical staff
since number of visits to the hospital are reduced.
- It
is less traumatic for children since lesser number
of injections have to be given.
- Combined
vaccines invariably cost less than the sum of their
component individual vaccines.
- The
overall number of adverse rections is lower.
- The
chance of compliance is increased benefitting the
individual and the community.
- There
is more cost-effective use of healthcare manpower
and resources.
- The
cost of purchase, transportation and storage of vaccines
are substantially reduced.
- The
administration of medical records and vaccine scheduling
is simplified.
Some
examples of combination vaccines include DTP, MMR, etc.
Now, newer combination vaccines are available that provide
prevention against five diseases (DTP+HIB).
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