Repevax Injection: Uses, Dosage, Side Effects, Precautions and Alternates

Quick overview

Repevax is a combination vaccine that helps protect against tetanus, diphtheria, whooping cough (pertussis), and polio. It is used as a catch-up vaccination for people who have not completed a full tetanus vaccination course, and may also be given after a tetanus-prone injury if the last tetanus vaccination was more than 10 years ago. It works by teaching the immune system to recognize and respond to these diseases.

What is Repevax Injection

Repevax is a vaccine used to protect against tetanus, and is one of several vaccines used in the UK for this purpose. It also helps protect against other diseases such as diphtheria, whooping cough (pertussis), and polio.

Repevax Injection uses

• Protecting against tetanus
• Used as a catch-up vaccination for people who have not had a complete course of tetanus vaccinations
• Given after a tetanus-prone injury, such as a deep puncture wound or animal bite, if the last tetanus vaccination was more than 10 years ago

Benefits of Repevax Injection

• Helps protect against tetanus.
• Helps protect against diphtheria.
• Helps protect against pertussis (whooping cough).
• Helps protect against poliomyelitis (polio).
• Boosts immunity in people who have previously received vaccines against these diseases.
• When given during pregnancy according to vaccination guidelines, it can help provide passive protection against pertussis to the newborn during the first months of life.

How Repevax Injection works

The vaccine works by teaching the immune system how to protect the body from the disease.

Repevax Injection dosage

If your child is uncomfortable or unwell with a fever after the vaccine, you can give a dose of infant paracetamol, following the instructions on the product packaging carefully. Never give medicines that contain aspirin to children under 16.

Available forms and strengths

• Injection

Side effects of Repevax Injection

Common

• Swelling, pain, redness or a hard lump where the injection was given
• Reduced appetite
• Being upset, irritable or restless
• Sleepiness
• Diarrhoea or vomiting
• Mild fever
• Sore or swollen joints
• Sore head

Serious

• Severe allergic reaction (anaphylaxis)
• Seizures
• Guillain-Barré syndrome
• Facial paralysis
• Inflammation of the spinal cord or nerves
• Extensive swelling of the vaccinated limb, sometimes with redness or blisters

Warnings and precautions

• If your child has a seizure after the vaccine, this is a medical emergency and needs urgent care.
• Tetanus vaccines, including this one, can be used in pregnancy. It may be offered during pregnancy if a person has not had a full course of tetanus vaccinations, or after a tetanus-prone injury such as a deep puncture wound or animal bite.
•  Getting the vaccine in pregnancy does not mean extra monitoring of the baby is needed.
• Generally considered acceptable when breastfeeding, if needed. Because Repevax contains inactivated antigens and toxoids, no risk to the breastfed infant is expected, although benefits and risks should be assessed by a healthcare professional.
• No specific kidney-related dose adjustment is normally required. People with severe kidney disease or significant immune suppression should inform their healthcare provider before vaccination.
• No specific liver-related dose adjustment is normally required.
• No known clinically significant interaction with drinking alcohol. Repevax itself contains only 1.01 mg ethanol per 0.5 mL dose, an amount not expected to have noticeable effects.
• Has no or negligible influence on driving or operating machinery. If you feel unwell or dizzy after vaccination, avoid driving until recovered.

Storage

• Store refrigerated at 2–8°C (36–46°F).
• Keep in the original packaging to protect from light.
• Do not freeze; discard the vaccine if it has been frozen.
• Keep refrigerated until ready for administration.
• Do not use after the expiry date or if recommended storage conditions were not maintained.
• Keep securely stored and out of reach of children.

When to see a doctor

• Get urgent medical help if your child is having a seizure after the vaccine.
• Contact your GP right away if your child is under 3 months old with a temperature of 38C or above, or over 3 months old with a temperature of 39C or above, if the fever lasts more than 48 hours after vaccination, or if you are worried about your child's health at any time.

Alternatives

• Td Vaccine
• Revaxis (Td-IPV)
• Adacel (Tdap)
• Boostrix (Tdap)
• Boostrix-IPV