Immunizations (cont.)
In this Article
- What is the vaccination schedule for adolescents?
- What is the vaccination schedule for adults?
- 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 hepatitis A vaccine, and who should receive it?
Hepatitis A is an acute viral
illness that is spread through contaminated water and food. It is less common in
the United States, but is still a common cause of hepatitis worldwide. The
disease is very common in many other parts of the world including Central and
South America, Africa, the Middle East, the Western Pacific, and Asia. It is
primarily prevented by using good hygiene and through vaccination. Hepatitis A
vaccine is routinely given to children; however, it is only recommended for
certain high-risk adolescents and adults. Foreign travel is the most common
reason for adults and adolescents to receive Hepatitis A vaccination. 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 hepatitis B vaccine, and who
should receive it?
Hepatitis B is an acute viral illness that is primarily
spread through the exposure to body fluids of an infected individual. It can be
transmitted through sexual intercourse and is highly contagious. Approximately
50% of infected individuals will be asymptomatic (have no symptoms of the
disease). Most cases resolve without
long-term complications; however, 1%-2% will develop chronic hepatitis. Hepatitis
B vaccine is given routinely to children. Adolescents who did not receive their
three-shot series as a child should be given the vaccine. Adults are not routinely
given the hepatitis B vaccine unless they belong to certain high-risk groups. One
high-risk group is health-care workers. 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 polio vaccine, and who should receive it?
Polio is an acute viral
illness that can cause severe paralysis and even death. Prior to the use of
vaccine, tens of thousands of children developed paralytic polio (the worst
form) in the U.S. every year. Since instituting an aggressive vaccine campaign,
polio has been almost completely eradicated in the U.S. Most cases now in the U.S.
are seen in people traveling from other countries or unvaccinated people from
the U.S. traveling to other countries.
There are two forms of the polio vaccine:
an oral form made from a live attenuated virus and an injection form made from
an inactivated virus. The oral form of the vaccine (oral polio vaccine or OPV)
is no longer used in the U.S. because it has been shown to cause polio in a small
number of people. Only the shot form of the vaccine (intramuscular polio
vaccine or IPV) is now used in the U.S. All children receive four doses of IPV.
Adolescents who did not receive all four doses should be given an additional
vaccine. Adults are not recommended to receive the polio vaccine unless they will be
traveling to areas where polio still exists. For specific guidance and a list of
higher-risk groups, please refer to Table 4 for adolescents.
Next: What is the zoster vaccine, and who should receive it? »
- Gardasil (HPV Vaccine) - Gardasil HPV vaccine (recombinant human papillomavirus quadrivalent vaccine) drug class, prescription, injection, preparation, storage, dosage, drug interaction, pregnancy and nursing, and side effects information.
- Flu Vaccine - Get the facts about influenza vaccine (flu shot) ingredients, side effects and vaccination effectiveness. Learn who should (children, pregnant women, elderly) and shouldn't get a flu shot.
- Pneumonia - Learn pneumonia symptoms, causes, treatment, signs, diagnosis and types: viral and bacterial (Pneumocystis carinii, Klebsiella, Mycoplasma, Chlamydia pneumoniae).
Latest Medical News
Infectious Disease RSS