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Vaccine Types

Hepatitis A

What is it?

Hepatitis A is an infection of the liver caused by the Hepatitis A Virus (HAV) a serious disease that causes liver inflammation, which can cause fatigue, itching, loss of appetite, fever and vomiting. It is spread most often through contaminated food or water and person-to-person contact with the stool of an infected person.

Why is it important?

Many people think the only way to contract hepatitis A is through sexual contact or drinking contaminated water, but these methods of transmission are actually rare. A child could contract the disease when a person with hepatitis A does not wash his or her hands properly after going to the bathroom and touches other objects or food. There are about 100,000 hepatitis A infections in the U.S. every year.

Many hepatitis A outbreaks originate with poor food handling. In 2008, several restaurants in San Diego, CA, were sources of a hepatitis A outbreak resulting in 400 people becoming ill.

Progress

According to The History of Vaccines, there were 22,000-36,000 reported cases of hepatitis A between 1980 and 1995 in the United States. In 2007, after routine use of hepatitis A vaccine, there were just 2,979 reported cases of hepatitis A in the United States.

Other countries have also seen success as a result of hepatitis A immunization. In Israel, a universal vaccination program led to a 95 percent reduction in hepatitis A incidence.

Vaccine Recommendations

It is recommended that children receive their first dose between 12-23 months of age, although the vaccine can be given at later visits. The second dose of vaccine should be given at least 6 months following the first dose.

Side Effects

Most people do not have any problems with the hepatitis A vaccine. Severe allergic reactions are believed to occur about once in 1.1 million doses.

Mild problems may include:

• Soreness where the shot was given (up to about 1 person 4)
• Temperature of 99.9°F or higher (up to about 1 person in 15).

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