Immunogenicity and Safety of Childhood Combination Vaccines: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

This meta-analysis suggests that the combined vaccines (DTaP-IPV-Hib, DTaP-HBV-Hib, DTaP-HBV-IPV-Hib) are safe, well-tolerated, and provide immunogenic alternatives to separate vaccines in children. The combined DTaP-HBV-IPV-Hib vaccine showed a higher incidence of fever, which was lower than the cumulative incidence of fever induced by all vaccines. Future studies should evaluate the cost-effectiveness of using combined vaccines and compare the potency of different formulations to improve routine local or national childhood immunization programs.