1. Travel Health and Vaccines Slideshow Pictures

Medical Author:

Edmond Hooker, MD, DrPH

Edmond Hooker, MD, DrPH

Dr. Eddie Hooker is currently an Assistant Professor in the Department of Health Services Administration at Xavier University in Cincinnati, Ohio. He is also an Associate Clinical Professor in the Department of Emergency Medicine at the University of Louisville and at Wright State University. His areas of expertise include emergency medicine, epidemiology, health-services management, and public health.

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Medical Editor:

Melissa Conrad Stöppler, MD

Melissa Conrad Stöppler, MD

Melissa Conrad Stöppler, MD, is a U.S. board-certified Anatomic Pathologist with subspecialty training in the fields of Experimental and Molecular Pathology. Dr. Stöppler's educational background includes a BA with Highest Distinction from the University of Virginia and an MD from the University of North Carolina. She completed residency training in Anatomic Pathology at Georgetown University followed by subspecialty fellowship training in molecular diagnostics and experimental pathology.

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In this Article

• What is the vaccination schedule for adolescents?
• What is the vaccination schedule for adults?
• If I am pregnant, what vaccines can and should I get?
• I am a healthcare worker, do I need any different vaccines?
• What is the Td/Tdap vaccine, and who should receive it?
• What is the HPV vaccine, and who should get it?
• What is the meningococcal vaccine, and who should receive it?
• What is the MMR vaccine, and who should receive it?
• What is the varicella vaccine, and who should receive it?
• What is the pneumococcal vaccine, and who should receive it?
• What is the influenza vaccine, and who should receive it?
• What is the hepatitis A vaccine, and who should receive it?
• What is the hepatitis B vaccine, and who should receive it?
• What is the polio vaccine, and who should receive it?
• What is the zoster vaccine, and who should receive it?
• What is the typhoid vaccine, and who should receive it?
• What is the yellow fever vaccine, and who should receive it?
• What is the rabies vaccine and who should receive it?
• What is the Japanese encephalitis vaccine, and who should receive it?
• Where can I find additional information on immunizations?
• Immunizations Index

What is the meningococcal vaccine, and who should receive it?

Meningococcal disease is a serious acute illness caused by a bacterium. Patients can develop meningitis and sepsis, and these are often fatal diseases. There are two different types of the vaccine, and only one is recommended for adults (meningococcal conjugate vaccine [MCV]). The disease is more common in adolescents and college students. Therefore, meningococcal vaccine is recommended for all children between 11-12 years of age. If the child has not received the MCV vaccine by 11-12 years of age, they should receive it up to age 18. College freshmen who have not received the vaccine should be vaccinated. The MCV vaccine is also recommended for adults with special medical conditions. For specific guidance, please refer to Table 4 for adolescents or Tables 5A-5D for adults.

What is the MMR vaccine, and who should receive it?

The MMR vaccine contains vaccines against the diseases measles, mumps, and rubella (German measles). These are all dangerous and potentially fatal diseases that have been successfully limited in the United States through aggressive vaccine programs. Adolescents and adults who have not received the MMR or MMRV (MMR, plus the varicella vaccine) should receive two doses of the vaccine at least one month apart. People who do not have medical documentation of having had the diseases or cannot prove previous vaccination should have titers (blood tests to check levels of immunity) drawn to make sure they are immune to these agents. If they do not have laboratory evidence of immunity, they should receive a two-dose series of vaccine. For specific guidance, please refer to Table 4 for adolescents or Tables 5A-5D for adults.