Quadracel (Diphtheria Toxoid, Tetanus Toxoid, Pertactin, Pertussis Filamentous Haemagglutinin, Pertussis Fimbriae 2 + 3, Pertussis Toxoid, And Poliovirus)
Complete patient guide for uses, dosage, side effects, and safety information
Prescription RequiredQuick Facts
What Is Quadracel Used For?
Quadracel is a combination vaccine that helps protect your child against four serious diseases: whooping cough (pertussis), tetanus, diphtheria, and polio. These diseases can cause significant illness and sometimes death in unvaccinated children.
Primary Uses
Quadracel is used to prevent whooping cough (pertussis), tetanus, diphtheria and polio in infants and children up to 6 years of age. It is particularly important for infants from 2 months of age who are at greatest risk from these diseases.
How It Works
Quadracel works by causing your child’s body to produce its own protection against these diseases. It helps the body make substances called antibodies in the blood, which fight the bacteria and toxins that cause whooping cough, tetanus, diphtheria, and polio. If your vaccinated child comes into contact with these bacteria and toxins, their body is usually ready to destroy them. The vaccine will not give your child any of these diseases.
Good to know: Most children will produce enough antibodies against these diseases, and the chance of a severe reaction from Quadracel is very small, but the risks from not being vaccinated may be very serious.
How Quadracel is Given
Quadracel is given by a doctor or nurse as an injection into your child’s muscle. The location depends on your child’s age.
Dosage Instructions
The primary immunization schedule is one 0.5 mL dose given at 2, 4 and 6 months of age. A booster dose may be given at 15 months to 6 years of age. For infants under 12 months, the injection is given into the upper thigh muscle. In older children who have started walking, the vaccine is usually injected into the upper arm muscle.
What If Your Child Misses a Dose?
If your child misses a dose, talk to your doctor and arrange another visit as soon as possible. It’s important your child has follow-up doses at the appropriate times to make sure the vaccine has the best chance of providing protection.
Important: Overdose is most unlikely because your doctor or nurse gives the injections. Keep an updated record of your child’s vaccinations and keep follow-up appointments.
Side Effects
Like all medications, this medicine can cause side effects. Most are mild and temporary, but some require medical attention.
Common Side Effects
These side effects occur relatively frequently and usually don’t require emergency care:
- Local reaction around the injection site (redness, swelling, and tenderness)
- Blisters at the injection site
- Fussiness
- Decreased activity
- Decreased eating
- Crying or screaming
- Fever
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Sleepiness
- Listlessness
Seek immediate medical attention if you experience:
- Abscess at the injection site
- Sudden signs of allergic reactions such as rash, itching or hives on the skin and shortness of breath
- Convulsions with or without high temperature
- Pale skin or bluish appearance to finger nails or lips
- Unusual muscle slackness
- Large injection site reactions including limb swelling
Important Warnings
There are certain situations when Quadracel should not be given to your child, and other conditions that require special consideration.
Who Should Not Receive Quadracel
Do not use Quadracel if your child: is allergic to any of the vaccine ingredients; had an anaphylactic or other allergic reaction to a previous dose of this vaccine or another vaccine for whooping cough, tetanus, diphtheria and polio; had a serious nervous system disorder within 7 days after a previous whooping cough vaccine; has progressive nervous system disorder such as infant spasm or uncontrolled epilepsy; has an illness with fever or acute infection (vaccination should be postponed until recovery).
Medical Conditions to Discuss
Check with your doctor if your child: has reacted to previous vaccines with life-threatening allergic reactions, shock-like state, convulsions, high temperature (greater than 40.5°C), or persistent crying lasting more than 3 hours; has lowered immunity due to diseases (such as HIV/AIDS or cancer) or medicines used to treat cancer; has a higher risk of convulsion than the general population; has a bleeding disorder; has fainted with previous injections.
Progressive Nervous System Disorders: For children with progressive nervous system disorders like infant spasm or uncontrolled epilepsy, vaccination may only be considered after treatment has been established and the condition is stabilized.
Drug Interactions
Some medicines may interfere with Quadracel and affect how it works. It’s important to tell your doctor about all medications your child is taking.
Immune System Medications: If your child has been treated with medicines that may affect the immune system such as chemotherapy, the response to vaccines may not be optimal.
- Medicines that affect the body’s natural defenses (immune system) such as chemotherapy
- Any other medicines, vitamins or supplements bought without prescription
Storage
Quadracel is usually stored in the doctor’s surgery or clinic, or at the pharmacy. However, if you need to store Quadracel: keep it where children cannot reach it; keep it in the original pack until it is time to be given; keep it in the refrigerator between 2°C and 8°C – do not freeze as freezing destroys the vaccine. If the vaccine is no longer needed or out of date, take it to any pharmacy for safe disposal.
Overdose Information
Overdose is most unlikely because your doctor or nurse gives the injections. If you have any concerns about the amount given, ask your doctor immediately.
Frequently Asked Questions
Quadracel is for children up to 6 years of age and can be given to infants starting from 2 months of age. The primary schedule is at 2, 4 and 6 months, with a booster dose between 15 months to 6 years.
No, the vaccine will not give your child whooping cough, tetanus, diphtheria, or polio. It works by helping your child’s body produce antibodies to fight these diseases if exposed to them.
Fever is a common side effect after Quadracel. Speak to your doctor if this side effect worries you. Call your doctor straight away if your child doesn’t feel well after having Quadracel.
You should tell your doctor about any other medicines or vaccines your child is taking. Some medicines may interfere with Quadracel and affect how it works.
Most children will produce enough antibodies against whooping cough, tetanus, diphtheria, and polio. However, as with all vaccines, 100% protection cannot be guaranteed.
If your child misses a dose, talk to your doctor and arrange another visit as soon as possible. It’s important to complete the vaccination schedule for the best protection.
The chance of a severe reaction from Quadracel is very small. Most side effects are minor and temporary, such as local reactions at the injection site, fussiness, or mild fever. Serious side effects are rare but should be reported to your doctor immediately.
Important Disclaimer
This information is intended for general educational purposes only and should not be considered medical advice. Always consult your healthcare provider or pharmacist before starting, stopping, or changing any medication.
If you think you may have a medical emergency, call your doctor or emergency services immediately.