DTaP-IPV-HepB-Hib Vaccine (Hexyon ® ): An Updated Review of its Use in Primary and Booster Vaccination.

Hexyon ^® is a fully-liquid, ready-to-use, hexavalent vaccine approved in the EU since 2013 for primary and booster vaccination in infants and toddlers from age 6 weeks against diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis, hepatitis B (HB), poliomyelitis, and invasive diseases caused by Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib). While the source of HB antigen in Hexyon ^® is different from other vaccines, the rest of its valences have been extensively used in other approved vaccines. Hexyon ^® is highly immunogenic for all its component toxoids/antigens when used as primary and booster vaccine in infants and toddlers, irrespective of vaccination schedule. It provides durable protection against hepatitis B. Hexyon ^® can be used for a mixed primary series of hexavalent-pentavalent-hexavalent vaccines or as a booster in infants primed with Infanrix hexa™ or pentavalent (whole-cell or acellular pertussis) vaccines. Coadministration of Hexyon ^® with other common childhood vaccines did not affect immune response to any vaccines. Hexyon ^® has a good reactogenicity/safety profile. The immunogenicity and safety profile of Hexyon ^® was similar to that of several approved vaccines, including Infanrix hexa™. However, Hexyon ^® offers the convenience of full-liquid, ready-to-use formulation, which may minimize vaccination errors and preparation time. Thus, Hexyon ^® is a convenient, useful option for vaccination against childhood diseases caused by six major pathogens.