6-in-1 vaccine
The 6-in-1 vaccine is one of the first vaccines your baby will have.
It's given as a single injection to protect your baby against six serious childhood diseases:
When should babies have the 6-in-1 vaccine?
The 6-in-1 vaccine is given three times, when babies are 8, 12 and 16 weeks old.
Your baby needs three doses to make sure they develop strong immunity against the six diseases the vaccine protects against.
Every time another dose of the vaccine is given, your baby's immune response increases.
How is the 6-in-1 vaccine given?
The vaccine is injected into your baby's thigh.
How well does the 6-in-1 vaccine work?
The 6-in-1 vaccine works well. It produces very good immunity to diphtheria, tetanus, whooping cough, Hib, polio and hepatitis B infections.
How safe is the 6-in-1 vaccine?
The 6-in-1 vaccine is very safe. It's killed (inactivated), which means it doesn't contain any live organisms, so there's no risk of your baby getting the diseases it protects against.
The vaccine also has few side effects, although it's common for babies to be a little irritable afterwards. They may also have short-lived redness, swelling and a small bump at the injection site.
The brand name of the 6-in-1 vaccine is Infanrix hexa (DtaP/IPV/Hib/HepB). Read the patient information leaflet (PIL) for Infanrix hexa.
Can the 6-in-1 jab be given at the same time as other vaccines?
It's safe for your baby to have the 6-in-1 vaccine at the same time as other vaccines, such as the rotavirus vaccine, pneumococcal vaccine and Men B vaccine.
Which babies should not have the 6-in-1 infant vaccine?
The vast majority of babies can have the 6-in-1 jab, but there are a few babies that should not have it. They include babies who:
- are allergic to the vaccine
- have a fever at the time of the vaccination appointment
- have signs of a neurological problem that is getting worse, including poorly controlled epilepsy
The vaccine should not be given to babies who have had a severe allergic reaction (anaphylaxis) to a previous dose of the vaccine or a reaction to any part of the vaccine that may be present in trace amounts, such as neomycin, streptomycin or polymixin B.
There's no need to postpone vaccination if your baby has a minor illness, such as a cough or a cold with no fever. But if your baby is ill with a fever, it's best to delay vaccination until they have recovered.
Children who show signs of a neurological problem that is getting worse, including poorly controlled epilepsy, should have their vaccination postponed until they have been seen by a specialist.
If your child has a history of fits (febrile convulsions) or has suffered a fit within 72 hours of a previous dose of the vaccine, speak to your GP, nurse or health visitor for advice.
What if I miss the 6-in-1 vaccination appointment?
It's best for babies to be vaccinated at the recommended age, as they are then protected from serious diseases as early in life as possible. But don't worry if your baby has missed an appointment for the 6-in-1 vaccination – it's never too late to have it. Make an appointment with your GP surgery or local child health clinic.
Last Updated: 17/02/2022 16:00:07
The information on this page has been adapted by NHS Wales from original content supplied by
NHS website
nhs.uk