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Vaccine Types

Rubella

What is it?

Rubella a viral infection that is spread by contact with an infected person through coughing or sneezing.  It is usually a mild disease with a slight fever that lasts for about 24 hours and a rash on the face and neck that lasts two or three days. Although it is different from measles, rubella is sometimes called German measles or three-day measles.

Why is it important?

In young children, rubella is usually mild. However, rubella can be very dangerous to pregnant women and their babies. Infection during pregnancy can cause birth defects including deafness, cataracts, heart defects, intellectual and developmental disability, and liver and spleen damage. According to the CDC, there is at least a 20 percent chance of damage to the fetus if a woman is infected early in pregnancy.

Progress

Before a vaccine against rubella became available in 1969, rubella epidemics occurred every 6-9 years, most often among kids five to nine years old.

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