Hexaxim is a 6 in 1 painless vaccine, but very costly. Should you opt it over regular DTP vaccines?

My son’s doctor suggested to give Hexaxim, which is painless, instead of previous 6 week dose of Quinvaxem and IPV  vaccine when I went for 10 week due vaccination? But the cost was too much. Can I get the same vaccine for my baby which was given earlier? Or should I opt for painless this time?

Pain and fever are associated with whole cell pertussis antigen in DTwP vaccines and it is not of major concern as they can be easily managed with paracetamol drops. Also,  immunity provided is better than the painless acellular Pertussis antigen containing DTaP vaccines. Primary vaccination should be preferably done with wP containing combination vaccines. In west, Pertussis breakout after prolonged use of DTaP vaccines should be lesson well learned for us to stop using painless vaccines and instead opt for cheaper and easily available DTwP vaccines.

Painless vaccines like earlier Pentaxim (2275 Rs.) and now Hexaxim (cost 4800 Rs.) are heavy on pocket due to the purification techniques used to produce them. Hexaxim is double the cost than Pentaxim as it is the only vaccine in market which gives protection against 6 diseases in one shot and also it is ready to use and preservative free. Choose Hexaxim if you care for no. of pricks to your baby.
In your baby’s case, if he tolerated Quinavaxem well, there is absolutely no need to change the vaccine.  Regular DTwP vaccines like Quinvaxem and Easy five costs less than thousand bucks and provide effective and better immunity. Polio vaccine cost maximum of 500 Rs.  So, now you are a better judge to decide, which vaccine is best for your baby.