Vaccine Types

Chickenpox
What is it?
Varicella, or chickenpox, is one of the most common childhood diseases. Your child can get chickenpox easily if someone with chickenpox coughs or sneezes near them or if they touch the fluid from a chickenpox blister.
Why is it important?
Chickenpox infections may seem like a small nuisance, but in some chickenpox cases can cause severe complications. About one out of 1,000 children infected with varicella will develop severe pneumonia (infection of the lungs) or encephalitis (infection of the brain).
Progress
The varicella vaccine was licensed in the United States in 1995. Since that time, the number of hospitalizations and deaths from varicella has declined more than 90 percent. Before the vaccine, there were an average of 4 million cases and 10,500 to 13,000 hospitalizations as a result of chickenpox in the U.S. each year.
Chickenpox is not a rite of passage for children; it’s a potentially dangerous and always uncomfortable disease that can be prevented. Why would any parent want to sentence their child to having to endure a week of itchy skin, fever and life-long scars?
Vaccine Recommendations
Chickenpox vaccine is recommended for the following:
- All children younger than 13 years of age (one dose at 12-15 months and a second dose at 4-6 years);
- Everyone 13 years and older who has never had chickenpox (two doses, given 4-8 weeks apart)
Side Effects
Receiving the chickenpox vaccine is much safer than getting chickenpox. Most people who get varicella vaccine do not have any problems with it. Mild side effects may include soreness, swelling fever or rash. Moderate or severe side effects are very rare.
Influenza
Influenza![]()
Influenza (flu) is a highly contagious viral upper respiratory illness. Flu may be complicated by other risk factors, including pneumonia. [+] more
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Hepatitis B
Hepatitis B![]()
Hepatitis B virus (HBV) affects the liver and is primarily spread through blood and bodily fluids. Acute HBV infection can lead to chronic HBV and liver damage. [+] more
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Polio
Polio![]()
Poliomyselitis (polio) is an extremely contagious viral infection that affects the nerve cells of the brain stem and spinal cord and can lead to paralysis. [+] more
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Diphtheria
Diphtheria![]()
Diphtheria is a bacterial respiratory illness that causes a thick covering in the back of the throat, leading to breathing problems, paralysis, or heart failure. [+] more
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Rotavirus
Rotavirus![]()
Rotavirus is a viral infection of the digestive track, and is the most common cause of severe diarrhea and vomiting in infants and young children. [+] more
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Pneumococcal
Pneumococcal![]()
Pneumococcal bacteria live in noses and throats of people of all ages. Pneumococcus can infect the middle ear, sinuses, lungs, central nervous system and bloodstream. [+] more
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Measles
Measles![]()
Measles is a highly contagious viral respiratory infection that causes a total-body skin rash and flu-like symptoms. [+] more
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Mumps
Mumps![]()
Mumps is a highly contagious viral infection that can affect many parts of the body. The hallmark sign of mumps is swelling of the salivary glands. [+] more
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Rubella
Rubella![]()
Rubella (German measles) is a contagious viral disease that can cause fever, rash, swollen glands and arthritis. Infection during pregnancy can lead to birth defects. [+] more
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Tetanus
Tetanus![]()
Tetanus (Lockjaw) is a bacterial infection that affects the nervous system and causes painful tightening of the muscles all over the body. It is spread through contact with contaminated surfaces. [+] more
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Pertussis (Whooping Cough)
Pertussis (Whooping Cough)![]()
Pertussis (Whooping Cough) is a highly contagious bacterial respiratory disease. Pertussis causes violent coughing spells that make it hard to eat, drink or breathe, and is especially severe in young infants. [+] more
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Chickenpox
Chickenpox![]()
Varicella (Chickenpox) is a highly contagious viral infection characterized by a blistering rash that can cover the entire body. Complications include skin infections, pneumonia and brain swelling. [+] more
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Hepatitis A
Hepatitis A![]()
Hepatitis A (HAV) virus attacks the liver, and is spread through stool of an infected person by direct contact or by contaminated food or drink. [+] more
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Meningococcal
Meningococcal![]()
Meningococcal disease is a severe bacterial infection that causes inflammation of the membranes covering the brain and spinal cord (bacterial meningitis) and blood poisoning (septicemia), and requires immediate medical attention. [+] more
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Hib
Hib![]()
Haemophilus influenza type b (Hib) bacterium can infect a child’s skin, joints, bones and ears. Hib can lead to a variety of infections including pneumonia, bacteremia, and meningitis. [+] more
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HPV
HPV![]()
Human Papillomavirus (HPV) is the most common sexually transmitted virus in the United States. About 40 types of HPV can infect the genital areas of males and females. A few types can lead to cervical and other cancers. [+] more
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