Comvax was discontinued in 2014.
Comvax is a combination of hepatitis B and Haemophilus influenzae type b (HIB) vaccines. It was approved by the FDA for use in infants in October, 1996. The approval was for the vaccines to be combined into one injection; the component vaccines were already approved and in use since 1991. The vaccine is manufactured by Merck and is a combination of its PedvaxHIB and Recombivax Hepatitis B vaccines.
Comvax is given at ages 2, 4, and 12-15 months and can reduce the total number of injections received by infants. It does not contain Thimerosal (mercury) as a preservative, and it has never contained it.
It has the advantage of reducing the total number of injections given to infants because the two vaccines are given together; also, the HIB vaccine used is given in three doses, while the other brand of HIB vaccine is given in four doses. Therefore Comvax further reduces the number of injections given. (The manufacturer of the other HIB vaccine argues that its four-dose vaccine produces better immunity. Research studies do suggest this, but it is unclear if this matters clinically, i.e. both vaccines provide immunity from the disease.)
It has the disadvantage of containing hepatitis B vaccine (as does the other combination vaccine, Pediarix), which means that if an infant gets a hepatitis B vaccine in the hospital at birth, using a combination vaccine as recommended results in the infant receiving four doses of hepatitis B vaccine, while only three are needed. This is the recommended and accepted practice; however, some feel that four doses are not necessary and they mix and match combination and non-combination vaccines, which can result in confusion on the part of parents and doctors as to the correct vaccine schedule for the child, and sometimes this results in errors in the giving of vaccines at the right time. Others feel that since four doses of hepatitis B are not necessary, and since the birth dose is not usually necessary, infants do not need to routinely receive hepatitis B in the hospital. You can read more about this issue here on our website.
Regardless of the hepatitis B dose issue, Comvax is safe and effective and reduces the total number of injections infants receive. We do use it in our office, though each child’s vaccine schedule and particular brands given may differ depending on previous vaccines given and/or vaccine availability.
