BACK TOTOP Browse A-ZSearchBrowse A-ZABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZ0-9 E-mail FormEmail ResultsName:Email address:Recipients Name:Recipients address:Message: Print-FriendlyBookmarksbookmarks-menuVaccines (immunizations)Vaccinations; Immunizations; Immunize; Vaccine shots; Prevention - vaccineVaccines are used to boost your immune system and prevent serious, life-threatening diseases. Information HOW VACCINES WORKVaccines "teach" your body how to defend itself when germs, such as viruses or bacteria, invade it:Vaccines expose you to a very small, very safe amount of viruses or bacteria that have been weakened or killed. Your immune system then learns to recognize and attack the infection if you are exposed to it later in life. As a result, you will not become ill, or you may have a milder infection. This is a natural way to deal with infectious diseases.Four types of vaccines are currently available:Live virus vaccines use the weakened (attenuated) form of the virus. The measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine and the varicella (chickenpox) vaccine are examples. Killed (inactivated) vaccines are made from a protein or other small pieces taken from a virus or bacteria. The whooping cough (pertussis) vaccine is an example. Toxoid vaccines contain a toxin or chemical made by the bacteria or virus. They make you immune to the harmful effects of the infection, instead of to the infection itself. Examples are the diphtheria and tetanus vaccines. Biosynthetic vaccines contain manmade substances that are very similar to pieces of the virus or bacteria. The Hepatitis B vaccine is an example.WHY WE NEED VACCINESFor a few weeks after birth, babies have some protection from germs that cause diseases. This protection is passed from their mother through the placenta before birth. After a short period, this natural protection goes away.Vaccines help protect against many diseases that used to be much more common. Examples include tetanus, diphtheria, mumps, measles, pertussis (whooping cough), meningitis, and polio. Many of these infections can cause serious or life-threatening illnesses and may lead to life-long health problems. Because of vaccines, many of these illnesses are now rare.Previous imagePlay SlideshowStop SlideshowNext image / SAFETY OF VACCINESSome people worry that vaccines are not safe and may be harmful, especially for children. They may ask their health care provider to wait or even choose not to have the vaccine. But the benefits of vaccines far outweigh their risks.The American Academy of Pediatrics, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and the National Academy of Medicine all conclude that the benefits of vaccines outweigh their risks.Vaccines, such as the measles, mumps, rubella, chickenpox, and nasal spray flu vaccines contain live, but weakened viruses:Unless a person's immune system is weakened, it is unlikely that a vaccine will give the person the infection. People with weakened immune systems should not receive these live vaccines. These live vaccines may be dangerous to the fetus of a pregnant woman. To avoid harm to the baby, pregnant women should not receive any of these vaccines. The provider can tell you the right time to get these vaccines.Thimerosal is a preservative that was found in most vaccines in the past. But now:There are infant and child flu vaccines that have no thimerosal. NO other vaccines commonly used for children or adults contain thimerosal. Research done over many years has NOT shown any link between thimerosal and autism or other medical problems.Allergic reactions are rare and are usually to some part (component) of the vaccine.VACCINE SCHEDULEThe recommended vaccination (immunization) schedule is updated every 12 months by the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Talk to your provider about specific immunizations for you or your child. Current recommendations are available at the CDC website: www.cdc.gov/vaccines/schedules.TRAVELERSThe CDC website (wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel) has detailed information about immunizations and other precautions for travelers to other countries. Many immunizations should be received at least 1 month before travel.Bring your immunization record with you when you travel to other countries. Some countries require this record.COMMON IMMUNIZATIONSChickenpox vaccine Chickenpox vaccineAll content below is taken in its entirety from the CDC Chickenpox Vaccine Information Statement (VIS): www. cdc. gov/vaccines/hcp/vis/vis-statements...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article DTaP immunization (vaccine) DTaP immunization (vaccine)All content below is taken in its entirety from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) DTaP vaccine information statement (VIS) -- www....ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Hepatitis A vaccine Hepatitis A vaccineAll content below is taken in its entirety from the CDC Hepatitis A Vaccine Information Statement (VIS): www. cdc. gov/vaccines/hcp/vis/vis-statement...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Hepatitis B vaccine Hepatitis B vaccineAll content below is taken in its entirety from the CDC Hepatitis B Vaccine Information Statement (VIS): www. cdc. gov/vaccines/hcp/vis/vis-statement...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Hib vaccine Hib vaccineAll content below is taken in its entirety from the CDC Hib (Haemophilus Influenzae Type b) Vaccine Information Statement (VIS): www. cdc. gov/vaccin...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article HPV vaccine HPV vaccineThe human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine protects against infection by certain strains of HPV. HPV can cause cervical cancer and genital warts. HPV ha...Read Article Now Book Mark Article Influenza vaccine Influenza vaccineAll content below is taken in its entirety from the CDC Inactivated Influenza Vaccine Information Statement (VIS) www. cdc. gov/vaccines/hcp/vis/vis-...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Meningococcal vaccine Meningococcal vaccineAll content below is taken in its entirety from the CDC Meningococcal ACWY Vaccine Information Statement (VIS): www. cdc. gov/vaccines/hcp/vis/vis-st...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article MMR vaccine MMR vaccineAll content below is taken in its entirety from the CDC MMR (Measles, Mumps, & Rubella) Vaccine Information Statement (VIS): cdc. gov/vaccines/hcp/vi...Read Article Now Book Mark Article Pneumococcal conjugate vaccine Pneumococcal conjugate vaccineAll content below is taken in its entirety from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) DTaP vaccine information statement (VIS) -- www....ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccine Pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccineAll content below is taken in its entirety from the CDC Pneumococcal Polysaccharide Vaccine Information Statement (VIS): www. cdc. gov/vaccines/hcp/v...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Polio immunization (vaccine) Polio immunization (vaccine)All content below is taken in its entirety from the CDC Polio Vaccine Information Statement (VIS): www. cdc. gov/vaccines/hcp/vis/vis-statements/ipv....ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Rotavirus vaccine Rotavirus vaccineAll content below is taken in its entirety from the CDC Rotavirus Vaccine Information Statement (VIS): www. cdc. gov/vaccines/hcp/vis/vis-statements/...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Shingles vaccine Shingles vaccinePlease note: information for this vaccine can be found here.ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Tdap vaccine Tdap vaccineAll content below is taken in its entirety from the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) Tdap Vaccine Information Statement (VIS): www. cdc. gov/vaccine...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Tetanus vaccineOpen ReferencesReferencesBernstein HH, Kilinsky A, Orenstein WA. Immunization practices. In: Kliegman RM, St. Geme JW, Blum NJ, Shah SS, Tasker RC, Wilson KM, eds. Nelson Textbook of Pediatrics. 21st ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2020:chap 197.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website. Thimerosal FAQs. www.cdc.gov/vaccinesafety/concerns/thimerosal/faqs.html. Updated August 19, 2020. Accessed November 6, 2020.Freedman MS, Hunter P, Ault K, Kroger A. Advisory committee on immunization practices recommended immunization schedule for adults aged 19 years or older - United States, 2020. MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep. 2020;69(5):133-135. PMID: 32027627 pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32027627/.Kroger AT, Pickering LK, Mawle A, Hinman AR, Orenstein WA. Immunization. In: Bennett JE, Dolin R, Blaser MJ, eds. Mandell, Douglas, and Bennett's Principles and Practice of Infectious Diseases. 9th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2020:chap 316.Robinson CL, Bernstein H, Poehling K, Romero JR, Szilagyi P. Advisory committee on immunization practices recommended immunization schedule for children and adolescents aged 18 years or younger - United States, 2020. MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep. 2020;69(5):130-132. PMID: 32027628 pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32027628/.Strikas RA, Orenstein WA. Immunization. In: Goldman L, Schafer AI, eds. Goldman-Cecil Medicine. 26th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2020:chap 15.AllVideoImagesTogImmunizations - illustration Immunizations (vaccinations) are given to initiate or augment resistance to an infectious disease. Immunizations provide a specialized form of immunity that provides long-lasting protection against specific antigens, which cause disease. ImmunizationsillustrationImmunizations - illustration Immunizations (vaccinations) are given to initiate or augment resistance to an infectious disease. Immunizations provide a specialized form of immunity that provides long-lasting protection against specific antigens, such as certain diseases. ImmunizationsillustrationVaccines - illustration Vaccines are used to boost your immune system and prevent many diseases, some of which are serious or life-threatening. Vaccines “teach“ your body how to defend itself when germs, such as viruses or bacteria, invade it. After exposure to the vaccine, your immune system learns to recognize and attack the viruses or bacteria if you are exposed to them later in life. As a result, you will not become ill. Or, if you do get the illness, you will likely have a milder infection. Vaccines are very safe and very effective at protecting against certain serious diseases.VaccinesillustrationImmunizations - illustration Immunizations (vaccinations) are given to initiate or augment resistance to an infectious disease. Immunizations provide a specialized form of immunity that provides long-lasting protection against specific antigens, which cause disease. ImmunizationsillustrationImmunizations - illustration Immunizations (vaccinations) are given to initiate or augment resistance to an infectious disease. Immunizations provide a specialized form of immunity that provides long-lasting protection against specific antigens, such as certain diseases. ImmunizationsillustrationVaccines - illustration Vaccines are used to boost your immune system and prevent many diseases, some of which are serious or life-threatening. Vaccines “teach“ your body how to defend itself when germs, such as viruses or bacteria, invade it. After exposure to the vaccine, your immune system learns to recognize and attack the viruses or bacteria if you are exposed to them later in life. As a result, you will not become ill. Or, if you do get the illness, you will likely have a milder infection. Vaccines are very safe and very effective at protecting against certain serious diseases.VaccinesillustrationRelated Information Immunizations(In-Depth) Review Date: 8/29/2020 Reviewed By: Neil K. Kaneshiro, MD, MHA, Clinical Professor of Pediatrics, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, WA. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team. Editorial update 09/28/2021. The information provided herein should not be used during any medical emergency or for the diagnosis or treatment of any medical condition. A licensed medical professional should be consulted for diagnosis and treatment of any and all medical conditions. Links to other sites are provided for information only -- they do not constitute endorsements of those other sites. © 1997- A.D.A.M., a business unit of Ebix, Inc. Any duplication or distribution of the information contained herein is strictly prohibited. © 1997- All rights reserved. A.D.A.M. content is best viewed in IE9 or above, Firefox and Google Chrome browser.Content is best viewed in IE9 or above, Firefox and Google Chrome browser.
Vaccines (immunizations)Vaccinations; Immunizations; Immunize; Vaccine shots; Prevention - vaccineVaccines are used to boost your immune system and prevent serious, life-threatening diseases. Information HOW VACCINES WORKVaccines "teach" your body how to defend itself when germs, such as viruses or bacteria, invade it:Vaccines expose you to a very small, very safe amount of viruses or bacteria that have been weakened or killed. Your immune system then learns to recognize and attack the infection if you are exposed to it later in life. As a result, you will not become ill, or you may have a milder infection. This is a natural way to deal with infectious diseases.Four types of vaccines are currently available:Live virus vaccines use the weakened (attenuated) form of the virus. The measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine and the varicella (chickenpox) vaccine are examples. Killed (inactivated) vaccines are made from a protein or other small pieces taken from a virus or bacteria. The whooping cough (pertussis) vaccine is an example. Toxoid vaccines contain a toxin or chemical made by the bacteria or virus. They make you immune to the harmful effects of the infection, instead of to the infection itself. Examples are the diphtheria and tetanus vaccines. Biosynthetic vaccines contain manmade substances that are very similar to pieces of the virus or bacteria. The Hepatitis B vaccine is an example.WHY WE NEED VACCINESFor a few weeks after birth, babies have some protection from germs that cause diseases. This protection is passed from their mother through the placenta before birth. After a short period, this natural protection goes away.Vaccines help protect against many diseases that used to be much more common. Examples include tetanus, diphtheria, mumps, measles, pertussis (whooping cough), meningitis, and polio. Many of these infections can cause serious or life-threatening illnesses and may lead to life-long health problems. Because of vaccines, many of these illnesses are now rare.Previous imagePlay SlideshowStop SlideshowNext image / SAFETY OF VACCINESSome people worry that vaccines are not safe and may be harmful, especially for children. They may ask their health care provider to wait or even choose not to have the vaccine. But the benefits of vaccines far outweigh their risks.The American Academy of Pediatrics, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and the National Academy of Medicine all conclude that the benefits of vaccines outweigh their risks.Vaccines, such as the measles, mumps, rubella, chickenpox, and nasal spray flu vaccines contain live, but weakened viruses:Unless a person's immune system is weakened, it is unlikely that a vaccine will give the person the infection. People with weakened immune systems should not receive these live vaccines. These live vaccines may be dangerous to the fetus of a pregnant woman. To avoid harm to the baby, pregnant women should not receive any of these vaccines. The provider can tell you the right time to get these vaccines.Thimerosal is a preservative that was found in most vaccines in the past. But now:There are infant and child flu vaccines that have no thimerosal. NO other vaccines commonly used for children or adults contain thimerosal. Research done over many years has NOT shown any link between thimerosal and autism or other medical problems.Allergic reactions are rare and are usually to some part (component) of the vaccine.VACCINE SCHEDULEThe recommended vaccination (immunization) schedule is updated every 12 months by the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Talk to your provider about specific immunizations for you or your child. Current recommendations are available at the CDC website: www.cdc.gov/vaccines/schedules.TRAVELERSThe CDC website (wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel) has detailed information about immunizations and other precautions for travelers to other countries. Many immunizations should be received at least 1 month before travel.Bring your immunization record with you when you travel to other countries. Some countries require this record.COMMON IMMUNIZATIONSChickenpox vaccine Chickenpox vaccineAll content below is taken in its entirety from the CDC Chickenpox Vaccine Information Statement (VIS): www. cdc. gov/vaccines/hcp/vis/vis-statements...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article DTaP immunization (vaccine) DTaP immunization (vaccine)All content below is taken in its entirety from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) DTaP vaccine information statement (VIS) -- www....ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Hepatitis A vaccine Hepatitis A vaccineAll content below is taken in its entirety from the CDC Hepatitis A Vaccine Information Statement (VIS): www. cdc. gov/vaccines/hcp/vis/vis-statement...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Hepatitis B vaccine Hepatitis B vaccineAll content below is taken in its entirety from the CDC Hepatitis B Vaccine Information Statement (VIS): www. cdc. gov/vaccines/hcp/vis/vis-statement...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Hib vaccine Hib vaccineAll content below is taken in its entirety from the CDC Hib (Haemophilus Influenzae Type b) Vaccine Information Statement (VIS): www. cdc. gov/vaccin...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article HPV vaccine HPV vaccineThe human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine protects against infection by certain strains of HPV. HPV can cause cervical cancer and genital warts. HPV ha...Read Article Now Book Mark Article Influenza vaccine Influenza vaccineAll content below is taken in its entirety from the CDC Inactivated Influenza Vaccine Information Statement (VIS) www. cdc. gov/vaccines/hcp/vis/vis-...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Meningococcal vaccine Meningococcal vaccineAll content below is taken in its entirety from the CDC Meningococcal ACWY Vaccine Information Statement (VIS): www. cdc. gov/vaccines/hcp/vis/vis-st...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article MMR vaccine MMR vaccineAll content below is taken in its entirety from the CDC MMR (Measles, Mumps, & Rubella) Vaccine Information Statement (VIS): cdc. gov/vaccines/hcp/vi...Read Article Now Book Mark Article Pneumococcal conjugate vaccine Pneumococcal conjugate vaccineAll content below is taken in its entirety from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) DTaP vaccine information statement (VIS) -- www....ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccine Pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccineAll content below is taken in its entirety from the CDC Pneumococcal Polysaccharide Vaccine Information Statement (VIS): www. cdc. gov/vaccines/hcp/v...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Polio immunization (vaccine) Polio immunization (vaccine)All content below is taken in its entirety from the CDC Polio Vaccine Information Statement (VIS): www. cdc. gov/vaccines/hcp/vis/vis-statements/ipv....ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Rotavirus vaccine Rotavirus vaccineAll content below is taken in its entirety from the CDC Rotavirus Vaccine Information Statement (VIS): www. cdc. gov/vaccines/hcp/vis/vis-statements/...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Shingles vaccine Shingles vaccinePlease note: information for this vaccine can be found here.ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Tdap vaccine Tdap vaccineAll content below is taken in its entirety from the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) Tdap Vaccine Information Statement (VIS): www. cdc. gov/vaccine...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Tetanus vaccineOpen ReferencesReferencesBernstein HH, Kilinsky A, Orenstein WA. Immunization practices. In: Kliegman RM, St. Geme JW, Blum NJ, Shah SS, Tasker RC, Wilson KM, eds. Nelson Textbook of Pediatrics. 21st ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2020:chap 197.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website. Thimerosal FAQs. www.cdc.gov/vaccinesafety/concerns/thimerosal/faqs.html. Updated August 19, 2020. Accessed November 6, 2020.Freedman MS, Hunter P, Ault K, Kroger A. Advisory committee on immunization practices recommended immunization schedule for adults aged 19 years or older - United States, 2020. MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep. 2020;69(5):133-135. PMID: 32027627 pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32027627/.Kroger AT, Pickering LK, Mawle A, Hinman AR, Orenstein WA. Immunization. In: Bennett JE, Dolin R, Blaser MJ, eds. Mandell, Douglas, and Bennett's Principles and Practice of Infectious Diseases. 9th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2020:chap 316.Robinson CL, Bernstein H, Poehling K, Romero JR, Szilagyi P. Advisory committee on immunization practices recommended immunization schedule for children and adolescents aged 18 years or younger - United States, 2020. MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep. 2020;69(5):130-132. PMID: 32027628 pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32027628/.Strikas RA, Orenstein WA. Immunization. In: Goldman L, Schafer AI, eds. Goldman-Cecil Medicine. 26th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2020:chap 15.
