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Vaccine Types

Diphtheria

What is it?

Diphtheria is a serious, highly contagious disease caused by a toxin made by bacteria.  Diphtheria causes a thick covering in the back of the throat. It can lead to breathing problems, paralysis, heart failure, and even death. It is spread through the respiratory droplets from sneezes and coughs. Diphtheria can also be spread by contaminated objects or foods. Even if an infected person doesn’t have any symptoms, they can infect others for up to four weeks.

Crowded environments, poor hygiene, and lack of immunization are all risk factors for diphtheria.

Why is it important?

Diphtheria is very rare in the U.S. and Europe, where we have been vaccinating against the disease for decades. When someone does contract the disease about 1 in 10 dies. In children younger than 5 years, as many as 1 out of 5 children who get diphtheria die.

Progress

Prior to vaccination, there were about 100,000 to 200,000 cases of diphtheria each year in the U.S. In fact, the vaccine has been so successful that there have only been five cases of diphtheria in the U.S. in the past ten years.  However, there are still outbreaks of diphtheria in other parts of the world, including Eastern Europe, the Middle East, Russia, Brazil, Nigeria, Indonesia, and the Philippines. If we stopped vaccinating in the U.S. we would allow for diphtheria to enter; the disease is only a plane ride awa

Vaccine Recommendations

With the DTaP vaccine you prevent 3 diseases with 1 shot: diphtheria, tetanus, and pertussis. Children should get 5 doses of DTaP vaccine, one dose at each of the following ages:

• 2 months
• 4 months
• 6 months
• 15-18 months
• 4-6 years

Anyone who comes in contact with a baby – parents, grandparents, caregivers, siblings, plus extended family and friends – should receive the adult form of the vaccine (Tdap) to help shield or "cocoon" newborns from whooping cough. It is also recommended that pregnant women receive a Tdap vaccine during each pregnancy between weeks 27 and 36 to benefit mother and baby. When a mom-to-be is vaccinated, she passes disease-fighting antibodies onto her baby to help protect him or her after birth.

Side Effects

While the risk of DTaP vaccine causing serious allergic reaction is very small (about 1 in 1 million) common side effects of this vaccine may include:

• Fever (up to about 1 child in 4)
• Redness or swelling where the shot was given (up to about 1 child in 4)
• Soreness or tenderness where the shot was given (up to about 1 child in 4)

Other mild problems include:

• Fussiness (up to about 1 child in 3)
• Tiredness or poor appetite (up to about 1 child in 10)
• Vomiting (up to about 1 child in 50)

These problems generally occur 1-3 days after the shot.

Moderate problems may include seizure (1 in 14,000), crying for 3+ hours (1 in 1,000), or high fever (1 in 16,000).

Influenza Influenza Influenza (flu) is a highly contagious viral upper respiratory illness. Flu may be complicated by other risk factors, including pneumonia. [+] more	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
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	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
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	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
Measles Measles Measles is a highly contagious viral respiratory infection that causes a total-body skin rash and flu-like symptoms. [+] more	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
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	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
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	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
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	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
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	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