Combination Vaccine (6-in-1 vaccine)
Last reviewed July 2026
Who is this for?
This is a combination vaccine (known in Nigeria as Hexaxim) that protects against six serious diseases at once: diphtheria, tetanus (lock jaw), whooping cough (pertussis), hepatitis B, polio, and Haemophilus influenzae type B (a germ that causes meningitis and pneumonia in small children). It works by training the body's immune system to recognize and fight these diseases without actually causing them.
Activates adaptive immunity by presenting antigenic epitopes from diphtheria toxoid, tetanus toxoid, acellular pertussis components, hepatitis B surface antigen, inactivated poliovirus, and Haemophilus influenzae type B polysaccharide conjugate to B and T lymphocytes, inducing production of protective antibodies and cellular immune responses against these pathogens. The conjugate carrier protein enhances immunogenicity of the polysaccharide antigen through T-cell dependent mechanisms.
Prevention of diphtheria, tetanus (lock jaw), whooping cough, hepatitis B, polio, and serious infections like meningitis and pneumonia caused by Haemophilus influenzae type B in babies and young children
Prescription Required
You need a doctor's prescription to buy this drug.
Explore this drug
If your child misses a scheduled dose, take them to the clinic as soon as possible to get the next injection. You do not need to restart the series; just continue from where you stopped. The important thing is to make sure your child gets all the doses.
Make sure your child receives all the doses on schedule, as an incomplete course means your child is not fully protected. Only get this vaccine from government-approved health centres or reputable private clinics with proper cold chain storage, not from informal sources. Keep your child's immunization card safe and bring it to every clinic visit so the health worker can track what has been given.
If your child is taking medicines that weaken the immune system (such as steroids or cancer drugs), the vaccine may not work as well, so inform your doctor. If your child recently received blood products or immunoglobulins, let the health worker know before vaccination. There are no food or alcohol interactions since this is for babies.
Check your specific combination
Is it safe to take Diphtheria, with your other drugs?
This vaccine is designed for babies and young children, not for pregnant or breastfeeding women. Consult your doctor if you have any concerns.
This vaccine must be kept in a refrigerator between 2°C and 8°C. Do not freeze it, as freezing destroys the vaccine. It should not be left out in the Nigerian heat or exposed to sunlight. Only healthcare facilities with proper cold storage should handle this vaccine. Keep out of reach of children.
For information only: not medical advice. Always talk to a doctor or pharmacist before changing your medication.
Names this drug is sold under, especially in Nigerian and West African pharmacies
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Counterfeit Drug Warning
Fake drugs are a serious problem in Nigeria. Always buy from a registered pharmacy. If the packaging looks different from what is described above, do not use it.