Hexavalent Vaccine

Thank you for raising this point. Two hexavalent formulations are available, distinguished only by the pertussis component.

Whole-cell pertussis hexavalent (DTwP-HB-Hib-IPV)

Uses the same DTwP antigen already present in the pentavalent vaccine.
Generates a stronger and longer-lasting immune response – an advantage in settings with higher pertussis transmission.
Costs less per dose (Gavi-supported) and has a familiar, short-lived fever profile for programmes already using pentavalent DTwP.

Acellular pertussis hexavalent (DTaP-HB-Hib-IPV)

Causes fewer post-vaccination fevers but is more expensive, and immunity tends to wane sooner.
Better suited to high-income countries where pertussis incidence is low and budgets can absorb the higher price.

For routine immunisation in low- and middle-income countries, the whole-cell formulation is usually the better fit. It offers more durable protection at lower cost, with no unexpected side-effects compared with pentavalent DTwP. Both products are WHO pre-qualified, but Senegal and Mauritania opted for the DTwP-based hexavalent when they introduced the vaccine in July 2025.

I unpack these details and what they mean for closing the IPV2 gap in this week’s Immunization for Resilience Newsletter. I hope you find the deeper dive useful. https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/hexavalent-vaccine-africa-one-shot-six-shields-tambe-vdvbe  Thank you 

Thank you Sir

for the update.

This is very useful as countries continue to engage Government and partners in swtiching to Hexa.