This vaccine protects children against 6 diseases:

- Diphtheria - a highly contagious infection that affects the nose and throat, and sometimes the skin. Diphtheria can be a serious illness and sometimes fatal, especially in children, if it is not treated quickly.
- Tetanus - a serious, life-threatening condition caused by bacteria getting into a wound.
- Polio - an infectious disease caused by a virus that can spread from person to person and cause paralysis.
- Whooping cough (pertussis) - a highly infectious disease that affects the airways. It causes severe coughing that may lead to problems with breathing. The coughing often has a ‘whooping’ sound.
- Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib) - a bacteria which can cause very serious illnesses, particularly in young children, such as meningitis, septicaemia (blood poisoning) and pneumonia.
- Hepatitis B - a liver infection caused by a virus that is spread through blood, semen and vaginal fluids. The severity of the resulting illness can range from mild to fatal.

This vaccine forms part of the routine childhood immunisation schedule. Most children receive their vaccinations through the NHS, although the vaccines are also available privately.
Learn more about the childhood vaccination schedule and private vaccination options here:
https://www.themaxwellpractice.com/post/baby-vaccines