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What pentavalent vaccine is and what it does for your baby

Photo: Courtesy

The pentavalent vaccine is five individual vaccines conjugated in one and intended to actively protect your baby from five potentially deadly diseases: Haemophilus Influenza type B (the bacteria that causes meningitis, pneumonia and otitis media – ear infection), Whooping Cough (or Pertussis), Tetanus, Hepatitis B and Diphtheria.

Diphtheria is a respiratory disease that can cause breathing problems, paralysis, heart failure, and death. It’s highly contagious and is spread by coughing and sneezing. Tetanus, or lockjaw, is a disease caused by a bacterium often found in soil. Once it enters the body it releases a toxin that attacks the nervous system, causing muscle spasms and death if left untreated.

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