Vaccine descriptions

The diphtheria, tetanus, and pertussis (DTaP) vaccine protects against the bacterial infections diphtheria, tetanus (lockjaw) and pertussis (whooping cough). DTaP is given as a series of five shots. DTaP is not given to children older than age 7. Adolescents and adults need a booster shot called Tdap because protection from DTaP decreases over time.

Haemophilus influenza Type B (Hib) vaccine protects against Hib disease, which can cause meningitis (an infection of the covering of the brain and spinal cord), pneumonia (lung infection), severe swelling of the throat, and infections in other parts of the body. Hib vaccine is given to children younger than age 2 as a series of three or four shots.

Hepatitis A vaccine protects against liver disease cased by the hepatitis A virus. It can cause mild flu-like illness, jaundice (yellow skin or eyes), severe stomach pains and diarrhea. Hepatitis A vaccine is administered to children ages 1 to 2 as a series of two shots. This vaccine also is given to people traveling to countries with high rates of hepatitis A and certain adults who are at high risk.

The hepatitis B vaccine protects against liver disease caused by the hepatitis B virus. It can cause inflammation of the liver and can lead to liver disease, liver cancer and death. Hepatitis B vaccine is given to babies as a series of three shots. The vaccine also should be given to children and certain adults if they have not been previously immunized.

Human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine protects females against four sexually transmitted HPV viruses than can lead to cervical cancer, abnormal and precancerous cervical lesions, and genital warts. HPV vaccine should be given to all females at ages 11 or 12 and other females age 26 and younger who have not previously been vaccinated. The vaccine is given to females as a series of three shots.

• The flu shot is an inactivated vaccine (containing killed virus) that is given with a needle. The flu shot is approved for use in people ages 6 months and older, including healthy people and people with chronic medical conditions.
• The nasal-spray flu vaccine is made with live, weakened flu viruses that do not cause the flu. This vaccine is an option for healthy people ages 2 to 49 who are not pregnant, even healthy people who live with or care for those in a high-risk group.

The measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) vaccine protects against three diseases. Measles is a respiratory infection that causes rash and flu-like symptoms. It can lead to ear infection, pneumonia, seizures, brain damage and death. The mumps virus causes fever, headache and swollen glands. It can lead to deafness, meningitis (an infection of the covering of the brain and spinal cord) and painful swelling of the testicles or ovaries. Rubella virus, also called German measles, causes rash, mild fever and arthritis. Rubella infection during pregnancy can lead to birth defects. MMR vaccine is given to children age 12 months or older as a series of two shots. The vaccine also should be given to people who have not had measles, mumps or rubella, or if they have not been previously immunized.

Meningococcal (MCV4) vaccine protects against meningitis (an infection of the covering of the brain and spinal cord) and blood infections. MCV4 is given as one shot to children and adolescents ages 11 to 18. This vaccine also is recommended for certain adults who are at high risk.

Inactivated poliovirus (IPV) vaccine protects against the virus that causes polio, an illness that can cause paralysis or death. Children should get this vaccine in a series of four shots.

Pneumococcal conjugate (PCV 7) vaccine protects infants and toddlers against serious pneumococcal disease, such as meningitis and blood infections, and some ear infections. PCV7 is given to children younger than age 2 as a series of four shots.

Pneumococcal polysaccharide (PPV23) vaccine protects against pneumococcal disease that can led to pneumonia (lung infection), blood infections and meningitis (an infection of the covering of the brain and spinal cord). PPV23 is given as a shot and is recommended for all adults age 65 and older, and others with long-term health problems. Most people need one dose. A second dose is given only to people who are at high risk and is given five or more years after the first one.

Rotavirus vaccine contains a live (but weakened) virus and protects against a virus that causes severe diarrhea, vomiting and fever, which may lead to serious dehydration. Rotavirus is the leading cause of diarrhea in infants and young children in the United States. Rotavirus vaccine is given by mouth to babies as a series of three doses.

Herpes Zoster vaccine protects against shingles, a painful skin rash. All people age 60 years and older should receive this vaccine. It is given as a single shot.

The tetanus, diphtheria, pertussis (Tdap) vaccine protects against the bacterial infections diphtheria, tetanus (lockjaw) and pertussis (whooping cough). Tdap is a booster shot recommended at ages 11 to 12. It also is given to people who are age 64 and younger as a one time booster dose. Tetanus, diphtheria (Td) vaccine is given to people age 65 and older and as the every-10-years booster dose.

Varicella vaccine protects against chickenpox which causes fever, drowsiness and an itchy, blister-like rash all over the body. Chickenpox is usually mild, but can lead to severe skin infection, scars, pneumonia, brain damage or death. Varicella vaccine is given to children age 12 or older as a series of two shots. This vaccine should be given to anyone who has not had chickenpox.