Vaccine Types

Measles

What is it?

Measles, also called rubeola, is a highly contagious respiratory infection that's caused by a virus. It causes flu-like symptoms and a rash all over the body. Measles is spread through contaminated bodily fluid from coughs and sneezes. 

Why is it important?

Measles is the most deadly of all childhood rash or fever illnesses. Since this disease is highly contagious, it is especially important to reduce its spread. In fact, measles is so contagious that if one person has it, 90 percent of the people close to that person who are not immune will also become infected with the measles virus. The virus can live on infected surfaces for up to two hours.

Even in previously healthy children, measles can require hospitalization. As many as 1 out of every 20 children with measles gets pneumonia, and about 1 child in every 1,000 who get measles will develop encephalitis, an inflammation of the brain that can lead to convulsions and can leave a child deaf or developmentally disabled. For every 1,000 children who get measles, 1 or 2 will die from it. Measles also can cause a pregnant woman to have a miscarriage, give birth prematurely, or have a low-birth-weight baby. Measles kills almost 1 million children each year.

Progress

Before widespread vaccination, measles caused an estimated 2.6 million deaths each year. Since the measles vaccine was introduced in 1963, ongoing measles transmission was declared eliminated from the U.S. in 2000. However, measles is still brought to the U.S. via travelers. According to the CDC, about 50 percent of imported measles cases in the United States are in U.S. residents coming back from other countries. Currently, the U.S. is experiencing a multi-state measles outbreak with the highest number of cases in 20 years. Visit the CDC measles webpage to see the latest number of cases and states affected.

Measles is still common in many developing countries, and more than 20 million people are affected by measles each year. According to the WHO, groups such as Rotary International, CDC, and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation are making concerted efforts to eliminate measles in at least five WHO regions by the end of 2020.

Vaccine Recommendations

Children should get 2 doses of MMR vaccine, which protects against measles, mumps and rubella. Children receive the first dose at 12-15 months of age and the second at 4-6 years. Note: These are the recommended ages, but children can get the second dose at any age, as long as it is at least 28 days after the first dose.

Side Effects

Most people who get MMR vaccine do not have any side effects. However, mild problems may occur. These include:

• Fever (up to 1 person out of 6)

• Mild rash (about 1 person out of 20)

• Swelling of glands in the cheeks or neck (rare)

If these problems occur, it is usually within 7-12 days after the shot. They occur less often after the second dose.

Risk of MMR vaccine causing serious harm is extremely small, but like with any medication, serious allergic reaction is possible. The risk of serious allergic reaction from MMR vaccine is 1 in 1,000,000. Possible moderate reactions include seizure caused by fever (1 in 3,000), temporary pain and stiffness in the joints, and temporary low platelet count (1 in 30,000).

 

 

 

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

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