Synflorix

Use of Synflorix Vaccine should be avoided in patients who are allergic to Synflorix Vaccine or any of its components. However, if you are not aware of any allergy, or if you are using Synflorix Vaccine for the first time, consult your doctor.

A booster dose or booster vaccine or booster shot is an additional dose of a vaccine that may have to be administered periodically after completing the initial or primary vaccination against certain diseases. This helps to ‘boost’ your immunity against such diseases so that you are adequately protected against them.

Synflorix Vaccine is indicated to be used in infants and children from the age of 6 weeks up to 5 years against diseases caused by the organism called Streptococcus pneumoniae, such as pneumonia, meningitis, blood infection and ear infection.

Usually, three doses are recommended for a child at a gap of at least 1 month. The primary dose may be given as early as 6 weeks of age and after the third dose, an additional booster dose may be given after 6 months of the third dose. However, it is also possible to have a three dose regimen only. In case the child has not been vaccinated with Synflorix Vaccine earlier, an alternate regimen may also be followed which may have two doses and an additional third dose (booster dose). Discuss with your doctor if you are not sure.

If a scheduled booster dose of Synflorix Vaccine is missed, talk to your doctor and arrange another visit as soon as possible. Try not to miss any doses at all. Make sure your child finishes the complete course without missing any doses. Otherwise, your child may not be fully protected against the diseases.

The most common side effects of Synflorix Vaccine are injection site redness, pain or swelling, allergic reactions, irritability, loss of appetite, drowsiness and fever. Not everyone experiences these side effects. If any of these side effects worry you or persist for a longer duration of time, please consult your doctor.

Syncope (fainting) can occur following, or even before, any vaccination especially in adolescents as a psychogenic response to the needle injection. This can be accompanied by several neurological signs such as transient visual disturbance, paraesthesia and tonic-clonic limb movements during recovery. It is important that procedures are in place to avoid injury from faints.

Synflorix Vaccine is only given by a doctor or a trained healthcare professional, into a muscle (intramuscularly), normally in the upper leg muscle if the infant is less than 12 months of age. In case the child is more than 12 months old, the vaccine will usually be given in the upper arm muscle. Do not administer this vaccine yourself. Firm pressure should be applied to the injection site, without any rubbing, for at least two minutes. Due caution should be exercised, especially in patients with bleeding problems or low platelet counts, who are at risk of bleeding following an injection into a muscle. Synflorix Vaccine is never given into a vein (intravenously) or under the skin (subcutaneously).

Synflorix Vaccine should not be given if you have had an allergic reaction to Synflorix Vaccine or any of its ingredients. Signs of an allergic reaction may include itchy skin rash, shortness of breath or swelling of the face or tongue. Get emergency medical help if you notice any such signs. Consult your doctor if you have a severe infection with a high temperature. A minor infection such as a cold should not be a problem, but talk to your doctor about , greater than or equal to 40°C. this before being vaccinated. Do not use this vaccine if the expiry date printed on the pack has passed or if the packaging is torn or shows signs of tampering. If you are not sure whether Synflorix Vaccine should be given, talk to your doctor.

Synflorix Vaccine is not intended for use in adults, adequate data on its use during pregnancy and lactation is not available.

Various studies and trials have shown that Synflorix Vaccine is a safe and effective vaccine. Hence, it has been approved for use and recommended by various medical organizations and doctors all around the world. Synflorix Vaccine is also well tolerated. Any side effects that may be seen with this vaccine are usually minor and tend to resolve quickly. However, children with a weakened immune system, for example, HIV infection, may not get full protection from Synflorix Vaccine.