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 varicella vaccine, and who should receive it?

Varicella is the virus that causes chickenpox. While the disease is usually self-limited, it can cause death and permanent injury. The groups at greatest risk are infants, people over 15 years of age, and immunocompromised people. The vaccine came out in the mid-1990s and unfortunately does not offer complete protection, but even those who get the disease after vaccination have a milder form of the condition. Prior to use of the vaccine, hundreds of children died every year from chickenpox. It is recommended that all adolescents and adults without documented evidence of chickenpox or previous vaccination receive the two-dose series. For specific guidance, please refer to Table 4 for adolescents or Tables 5A-5D for adults.

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

Streptococcus pneumoniae (also called pneumococcus) is a bacterium that can cause severe illness, including meningitis and pneumonia. The vaccine is routinely given to children; however, it is only given to adolescents and adults who are at higher risk. Elderly adults are one group that is considered at higher risk, and it is recommended that all adults receive one dose of the vaccine after 65 years of age. For specific guidance and a list of higher risk groups, please refer to Table 4 for adolescents or Tables 5A-5D for adults.

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

Influenza (flu) is an acute viral illness that can kill even healthy people. Unfortunately, the influenza virus changes a little each year, and scientists have to make educated guesses about which forms of the virus will be infecting people and circulating each year. Based on the best available evidence, they create a vaccine each year containing three of the likely influenza virus types.

There are two types of vaccine: a live attenuated vaccine (nasal spray) and an inactivated vaccine (shot). You cannot get the flu from getting the flu shot because it has inactivated virus (killed virus with heat or chemicals). The immunity from the vaccines is limited, and vaccinations must be repeated yearly. In August 2008, the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices changed the recommendation on adolescents. It is now recommended that all people between 6 months and 18 years of age receive an annual vaccination. Although the CDC encourages that any adult who wants to decrease the chance of getting the flu get the influenza vaccine, certain high-risk groups are recommended to always get the annual flu vaccine (Table 5C). Adults over 50 years of age are considered to be at high risk and should receive the yearly influenza vaccination. For specific guidance and a list of higher-risk groups, please refer to Table 4 for adolescents or Tables 5A-5D for adults.