Societal Impact of Combination Vaccines: Experiences of Physicians, Nurses, and Parents

Abstract 

Crowded immunization schedules can result in missed or delayed dosing. Combination vaccines help immunize children on time, limit the required number of injections, and allow new vaccines to be added to the schedule. In the United States, a pentavalent vaccine combining diphtheria, tetanus toxoids, and acellular pertussis (DTaP), recombinant hepatitis B (HepB), and inactivated poliovirus vaccine (IPV) is available. Here, we describe the findings of informal surveys among providers, nurse managers, business managers, and parents on their attitudes toward and experiences with the DTaP-HepB-IPV vaccine. Combination vaccine use is expected to increase as more become available and awareness of their benefits grows.

Key words: Combination, vaccine, DTaP-HepB-IPV, provider, nurse, parent