Patient Medication Information: uses, side effects, how to take - Vivaxim
What is ViVAXIM® used for?
ViVAXIM® is a vaccine that is used to prevent typhoid fever and hepatitis A infection. This vaccine may be given to persons 16 years of age and older.
Typhoid fever is an infectious disease spread through food and drink that contain the bacteria (called Salmonella enterica, subtype typhi) that cause the illness. It is a serious infection that may be fatal, particularly if not treated promptly.
Hepatitis A is a contagious liver disease that is spread from person to person through drinking water or eating food with the hepatitis A virus (HAV) in it. It is also spread by close personal contact. It is more common in areas of the world with poor sanitation. Hepatitis A can cause a mild illness, but about 1 person in 5 has to be hospitalized and sometimes people die as a result of hepatitis A. Both diseases are more common in areas of the word with poor sanitation.
The majority of persons who are vaccinated with ViVAXIM® will produce enough antibodies to help protect them against these two diseases. However, as with all vaccines, 100% protection cannot be guaranteed.
How does ViVAXIM® work?
ViVAXIM® causes the body to produce its own natural protection against typhoid fever and hepatitis A infection. After you receive the vaccine, your body begins to make substances called antibodies. Antibodies help your body to fight disease. If a vaccinated person comes into contact with one of the germs that cause these diseases, the body is usually ready to destroy it.
What are the ingredients in ViVAXIM®?
Medicinal ingredients: purified Salmonella typhi and inactivated hepatitis A virus.
Non-medicinal ingredients: aluminum hydroxide, formaldehyde, neomycin, 2-phenoxyethanol, and polysorbate 80.
ViVAXIM® comes in the following dosage forms:
ViVAXIM® is a liquid vaccine, supplied in a 1 mL pre-filled, dual chamber syringe.
Do not use ViVAXIM® if:
- You have a known severe allergy to any ingredient in the vaccine or its container, or have had a severe allergic reaction after receiving a vaccine that contained similar ingredients.
|To help avoid side effects and ensure proper use, talk to your healthcare professional before you take ViVAXIM®. Talk about any health conditions or problems you may have, including if you:
- Have a high fever or serious illness. Wait until you are better to receive the vaccination.
- Have an allergy to any component of the vaccine or the container.
- Have a weakened immune system. The vaccine may provide you with a lower level of protection than it does for people with healthy immune systems.
- Have a bleeding disorder or are taking blood thinning medications. Tell the person giving you the injection about your condition. The injection must be done carefully to prevent excessive bleeding.
Are pregnant or breast-feeding. It is important that you understand the risks and benefits of vaccination. ViVAXIM® should be given to a pregnant or nursing woman only if it is clearly needed. Tell the person giving you the injection if you are pregnant or breast-feeding.
- Have fainted with a previous injection. Fainting can occur following vaccination. Appropriate measures should be taken to prevent falling injury.
Tell your healthcare professional about all the medicines you take, including any drugs, vitamins, minerals, natural supplements or alternative medicines.
The following may interact with ViVAXIM®:
- DO NOT mix ViVAXIM® with other vaccines or medicinal products in the same syringe.
How to take ViVAXIM®:
Usual dose:
A single dose of 1 mL is recommended for immunization in persons 16 years of age and older.
Initial protection is provided by one dose of ViVAXIM®. For long-term protection against hepatitis A, a booster vaccination with an inactivated hepatitis A vaccine or ViVAXIM® will be required 6 to 36 months after vaccination with VIVAXIM®. The body does not develop long-term (more than 3 years) protection against typhoid fever and repeat vaccinations are required to maintain protection.
The vaccination should be given in the muscle, preferably in the deltoid (shoulder) region.
Overdose:
If you think you have taken too much ViVAXIM®, contact a health care professional, hospital emergency department or regional Poison Control Centre immediately, even if there are no symptoms.
Missed Dose:
Not applicable to this vaccine.
What are the possible side effects from using ViVAXIM®?
These are not all the possible side effects you may feel when taking ViVAXIM®. If you experience any side effects not listed here, contact your healthcare professional. Please also see Warnings and Precautions.
A vaccine, like any medicine, may cause serious problems, such as severe allergic reactions. The risk of ViVAXIM® causing serious harm is extremely small. The small risks associated with ViVAXIM® are much less than the risks associated with getting the diseases.
Tell your doctor, nurse or pharmacist as soon as possible if you do not feel well after receiving ViVAXIM®.
Serious side effects are very rare.
Some people who receive ViVAXIM® may have mild side effects such as pain at the injection site, associated with redness and swelling. They may also have fever, headache, dizziness, weakness, muscle aches, or gastrointestinal tract disorders such as nausea, vomiting or diarrhea. These side effects usually go away within a few days.
If you have a troublesome symptom or side effect that is not listed here or becomes bad enough to interfere with your daily activities, talk to your healthcare professional.
Reporting Suspected Vaccine Adverse Events For the General Public: If you suspect you have had a serious or unexpected event following receipt of a vaccine, please ask your healthcare professional to complete the Adverse Events Following Immunization (AEFI) Form and send it to your local health unit in your province/territory. For Health Care Professionals: If a patient experiences an adverse event following immunization, please complete the appropriate Adverse Events following Immunization (AEFI) Form and send it to your local health unit in your province/territory. If you have any questions or have difficulties contacting your local health unit, please contact Vaccine Safety Section at Public Health Agency of Canada: By toll-free telephone: 1-866-844-0018 By toll-free fax: 1-866-844-5931 By email: caefi@phac-aspc.gc.ca Note: Should you require information related to the management of the adverse events, please contact your health-care provider before notifying the Public Health Agency of Canada. The Public Health Agency of Canada does not provide medical advice. |
Storage:
Store ViVAXIM® in a refrigerator at 2° to 8°C (35° to 46°F). Do not freeze. Throw the product away if it has been exposed to freezing.
Do not use after the expiration date.
Keep out of reach and sight of children.
If you want more information about ViVAXIM®:
- Talk to your healthcare professional.
- Find the full product monograph that is prepared for healthcare professionals and includes this Patient Medication Information by visiting the Health Canada website (http://hc-sc.gc.ca/index-eng.php); the Sanofi Pasteur Limited website (http://www.sanofipasteur.ca), or by calling the Sanofi Pasteur Limited Vaccine Information Service at 1-888-621-1146 (no charge) or at 416-667-2779 (Toronto area). Business hours are 7:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. EST Monday to Friday.
Last revised: September 2015
R4-0915 Canada