Vaccine Types

Hib

What is it?

Hib bacterium lives in the nose and throat and is spread through coughing or sneezing. Hib is most often spread by people who carry the bacteria but show no symptoms. Hib bacterium can infect a child’s skin, joints, bones and ears. The most common and severe complication of Hib is meningitis, or inflammation of the membranes protecting the brain and spinal cord. Other serious complications include pneumonia, bacteremia and epiglottis (swelling of the throat). 

Why is it important?

Hib disease causes 3 million serious illnesses and nearly 400,000 deaths each year worldwide. Almost all deaths occur in children under five years of age, and babies 4 – 18 months of age are especially vulnerable. Hib meningitis kills one out of 20 children who become infected and causes permanent brain damage in 10 to 30 percent of children who survive the disease.

Progress

The available Hib vaccines are between 90% – 100% effective and have had a dramatic impact on Hib disease. Up until the 1980s, Hib infected 1 out of 200 children under the age of five in the United States, and there were an estimated 20,000 cases of Hib each year.

As soon as the vaccine was introduced in 1985, Hib cases nearly diminished. With regular vaccination, the number of Hib cases in children under five dropped more than 98 percent. By 2003, there were 259 Hib cases in children under 5 in the United States. Most of the cases we see today result from parents choosing not to immunize. In 2009, Hib outbreaks in Minnesota and Pennsylvania resulted in three child deaths; none of the infected children were immunized. It’s important to remember that although we don’t consider Hib a common childhood illness, the disease can cause serious harm.

Vaccine Recommendations

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommend children receive the Hib vaccine at two months, four months, six months (depending on which vaccine your child receives, he or she may not need this dose) and at 12 – 15 months. Since Hib typically affects children under five years of age, only high-risk older children and adults should receive the Hib vaccine.

Side Effects

Most children who get the Hib vaccine do not experience problems. Mild side effects may include:

  • Redness, warmth, or swelling where the shot was given (up to 1 out of 4 children)
  • Fever over 101 degrees Fahrenheit (up to 1 out of 20 children)
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

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