Vaccine Information

Boostrix (Tdap)

Who? ≥ 7 years old, pregnant women (27-36w), certain wounds

Schedule: booster shot every 10 years

Engerix-B (Hep B)

Who? Chronic liver disease, HIV, sexual exposure, intravenous drug users, blood exposure, incarcerated persons, travel (endemic), work-related exposure

[Note: infants should be vaccinated at birth (at hospital’s discretion)]

Schedule: 3 dose series (month 0, 1, 6)

Gardasil 9 (HPV)

Who? Min: 9 years old, max: 26 years old

Schedule: First dose 9-14 years old: 2 doses (month 0, 6-12)
First dose ≥ 15 years old: 3 doses (month 0, 1-2, 6-12)

Havrix 720 (Hep A – pediatric)

Who: Patients with chronic liver disease, HIV, men who have sex with men, people who use intravenous drugs, people who are homeless, work-related exposure, travel (endemic), international childcare

Schedule: 2 doses (month 0, 6-12)

Havrix 1440 (Hep A – adult)

Who: Patients with chronic liver disease, HIV, men who have sex with men, people who use intravenous drugs, people who are homeless, work-related exposure, travel (endemic), international childcare

Schedule: One dose followed by a booster dose administered between 6 to 12 months later

Heplisav B (Hep B)

Who? Patients with chronic liver disease, HIV, sexual exposure, intravenous drug users, blood exposure, incarcerated persons, travel (endemic), work-related exposure

Schedule: 2 dose series, 4 weeks apart

Hiberix (Hib)

Who? Minimum 6 weeks old

Schedule: 4 dose series (2, 4, 6, 12-15 months old)

Imovax (Rabies)

Who? Not routine. Anyone bitten by a rabid or possibly rabid animal, anyone working with animals, anyone recommended to receive by a healthcare professional

Schedule: Pre-exposure: 3 doses (days 0, 7, 21, maybe 28)
Post-exposure: 4 doses (days 0, 3, 7, 14; day 28 if immunocompromised)

Infanrix (DTaP)

Who? ≥ 6 weeks old, ≤ 6 years old

Schedule: 5 dose series for initial vaccination (2, 4, 6, 15-18 months old, 4-6 years old)

Ixiaro (Japanese Encephalitis)

Who? Not routine. Anyone travelling to areas where JE is endemic.

Schedule: Primary: 2 dose series (day 0, 7-28)
If ≥ 65 years old: day 0, 28
If still exposed 1 year later, 1 booster dose

IPOL (Polio)

Who? Anyone not previously vaccinated against polio.

Schedule: 3 dose series (month 0, 1-2, 6-12). 1 booster dose if increased risk of exposure.

Kinrix (DTaP-Polio)

Who? Children 4-6 years old

Schedule: substitute 5th shot in DTaP series/4th shot in Polio series

Meactra (Meningococcal groups ACWY)

Who? Minimum 9 months, preteens

Schedule: 2 dose series (11-12 years old, booster at 16 years old)

MMR II (measles, mumps, rubella)

Who? Minimum 12 months old, maximum 12 years old (unless no MMR received previously in lifetime)

Schedule: 2 dose series (12-15 months old, 4-6 years old)

Pedvax HIB (Hib – pediatric)

Who? Children 2 months to 6 years old

Schedule: 3 dose series (2, 4, 12-15 months old)

If not vaccinated before 15 months, until 6 years old: 1 dose

Pneumovax (PPSV23) (pneumonia)

Who? Minimum 2 years old (if serious risk of complications from pneumonia), ≥ 65 years old

Schedule: 1 dose

Prevnae (PCV13) (pneumonia)

Who? Minimum 6 weeks old, ≥ 65 years old

Schedule: ≤ 2 years old: 4 dose series (2, 4, 6, 12-15 months old)

≥ 2 years old: 1 dose

Adults ≥ 65 years old: 1 dose

[NOTE: If getting both pneumonia vaccines, give PCV13 first, then PPSV not less than 1 year later.]

Rotarix (rotavirus)

Who? Minimum 15 weeks old, maximum 8 months old

Schedule: 2 dose series (2, 4 months old)

RotaTeq (rotavirus)

Who? Minimum 15 weeks old, maximum 8 months old

Schedule: 3 dose series (2, 4, 6 months old)

[NOTE: If any dose in the series is Rotateq, or unsure whether Rotateq or Rotarix, continue with 3-dose series going forward.]

Shingrix (shingles)

Who? ≥50 years old

Schedule: 2 doses, 2-6 months apart

TENIVAC (Td booster)

Who? Adults needing Td booster.

Schedule: every 10 years

TdVax (Td booster)

Who? Adults needing Td booster.

Schedule: every 10 years

Trumenba (Meningococcal serogroup B)

Who? Minimum 10 years old. 16-23 years old, preferred 16-18 years old.

Schedule: 2 dose series (month 0, 6)

Tubersol (Tuberculosis – PPD test)

PPD test for tuberculosis. Inject subcutaneously, wait 4 days and return to provider for reading of test.

Twinrix (Hep A/Hep B)

Who? See Hep A (Havrix) and Hep B (Engerix-B)

Schedule: See Hep A (Havrix) and Hep B (Energix-B)

Typhim VI (Typhoid)

Who? Minimum 2 years old traveling to areas where typhoid fever is a risk.

Schedule: Primary immunization at least 2 weeks prior to exposure. Booster every 2 years.

Vivotif (Typhoid PO)

Who? Minimum 6 years old traveling to areas where typhoid fever is a risk.

Schedule: Primary: 1 capsule every other day for 4 doses. Complete ≥ 1 week prior to exposure. Booster every 5 years as needed.

 Vaccinations By Indication

(note: the following information is not a substitution for professional medical advice. Please speak to your doctor if you suspect you have any of the following conditions.)

Diphtheria

Diphtheria is a very serious bacterial infection caused by Corynebacterium diphtheriae. It can be treated with antibiotics, but can still be fatal (even if treated), especially in children. If left to progress, diphtheria can lead to heart, kidney, and nerve damage. It is easily preventable by staying up to date on routine vaccinations. Thanks to widespread routine vaccination, instances of diphtheria infection are extremely low in developed countries.

Vaccines: Infanrix (DTaP), Kinrix (DTaP-IPV), Boostrix (Tdap) Tenivac, TDVAX (Td)

Haemophilius Influenza Type B (Hib)

Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib) is one of a group of H. influenzae bacteria that live naturally and harmlessly in the nose and throat, but can cause a variety of other infections if spread to other parts of the body. It spreads via droplet transmission, and the severity of disease and complications varies based on what kind of infection it causes. The most serious diseases caused by Hib are pneumonia, meningitis, and bacteremia (a bloodstream infection).

Vaccines: Pedvax Hib, Hiberix

Hepatitis A

Hepatitis A virus is a highly contagious strain of hepatitis, a disease causing inflammation of the liver. It is spread mainly through contaminated food or water, or by close contact with an infected individual. Most cases of hepatitis A resolve without any lasting damage, although rarely it can cause permanent injury to the liver, especially in older people and those with preexisting chronic liver disease.

Vaccines: Havrix 720 (pediatric), Havrix 1440 (adult), Twinrix (HepA/HepB)

Hepatitis B

Hepatitis B virus is a more serious strain of hepatitis that can become a chronic disease (lasting six months or more), which eventually may lead to liver failure, cirrhosis, liver cancer, and death. There is no cure once infected, but a vaccine can prevent transmission of the disease altogether. Hepatitis B is spread through bodily fluids (blood, semen, etc.). It cannot be transmitted by coughing or sneezing.

Vaccines: Engerix-B, Heplisav, Twinrix (HepA/HepB)

Human Papilloma Virus (HPV)

Human Papillomavirus (HPV) is a virus that affects mucous membranes and can cause warts and, in some cases, different kinds of cancer. It is transmitted sexually, or via skin-to-skin contact. The most common way to detect the presence of HPV is for a doctor to perform a pap smear. There is no cure once infected, though the virus may go through periods of dormancy. A vaccine may help prevent certain strains of HPV that cause warts or cancer.

Vaccines: Gardasil 9

Japanese Encephalitis

Japanese Encephalitis is a mosquito-borne virus prevalent in Asia and the Western Pacific. About 25% of people who contract Japanese Encephalitis end up developing encephalitis, or inflammation of the brain. It is easily preventable by vaccination, and vaccination is recommended if travelling to those regions. It is also prudent to prevent transmission altogether by employing mosquito-repellant techniques such as using bug spray and dressing in long sleeves and pants.

Vaccines: Ixiaro

Measles

Measles, also known as rubeola, is a very dangerous, highly contagious, and extremely preventable childhood virus. It is characterized by mild systemic symptoms and a rash that starts on the face and then spreads to the entire body while a fever spikes. The highest risk factor is not being vaccinated against measles.

Vaccines: MMR II

Meningococcal Disease (groups ACYW, serogroup B)

Meningococcal disease refers to any illness precipitated by Neisseria meningitidis. Most of these illnesses are very serious, especially meningitis (inflammation of the lining of the brain and spinal cord) and bacteremia or septicemia (bloodstream infections). These infections are treatable with antibiotics, but it is imperative to seek emergency medical care as soon as meningococcal disease is suspected, or it can be quickly fatal. Infants, teens, and young adults are at the highest risk of infection. Serogroup B outbreaks have been reported across college campuses, prompting suggestion for meningitis vaccination prior to teenagers attending university. The disease is spread by close or prolonged contact, usually through oral secretions. It is possible to be a carrier of N. meningitidis without being infected, but still infect others.

Vaccines: Menactra (MenACYW), Trumenba (Men Group B)

Mumps

Mumps is a virus that causes swelling of one or both salivary glands. It is spread via saliva and droplets. It can cause hearing loss if left untreated. There is no specific treatment for mumps, just supportive care until symptoms resolve. It is easily preventable by vaccine.

Vaccines: MMR II

Pertussis

Pertussis is a highly contagious respiratory infection characterized by severe bouts of hacking cough, sometimes followed by a high-pitched intake of air that makes a “whoop” noise, which lead to its common moniker “whooping cough”. The disease primarily affects children too young to have been vaccinated against it, and teens and adolescents whose childhood immunity has faded. Because of this, it is very important that pregnant women between 27-36 weeks gestation receive a vaccine containing pertussis, and that people continue to receive booster doses approximately every 10 years throughout their lives. There are usually no long-term complications of pertussis past infancy, when infection is the most damaging and potentially fatal.

Vaccines: Infanrix (DTaP), Kinrix (DTaP-IPV), Boostrix (Tdap)

Polio

Polio is a very contagious virus that can cause paralysis and death. Thanks to widespread childhood vaccination, the last known case of naturally-occurring polio in the United States was in 1979, though other lesser-developed regions of the world are still ravaged by the disease. If travelling to an endemic region, a booster shot is recommended and, per the CDC, immunity lasts for a lifetime after an adult booster shot.

Vaccines: IPOL, Kinrix (DTaP-IPV)

Pneumonia

Pneumonia is an infection of the lungs that can be anywhere from mild to fatal, depending on the pathogen and the person. It can be bacterial, fungal, and/or viral. Often the lungs will fill with fluid and phlegm, causing a productive, wet cough. This disease is most dangerous to children under 2 years old, adults over 65 years old, and those with weakened immune systems.

Vaccines: Prevnar (PCV13), Pneumovax (PPSV23)

Rabies

Rabies is a very serious virus spread through saliva, most commonly via bites by an infected animal. Once signs and symptoms appear, death is almost always imminent. That is why it is essential to seek treatment immediately if you have been or suspect being bitten by an animal. It is also wise to be vaccinated prophylactically if you work with animals who may not have been vaccinated against rabies in the event that you get bitten.

Vaccines: Imovax

Rotavirus

Rotavirus is a contagious virus found in children that can cause inflammation of the stomach and intestines, causing severe watery diarrhea, vomiting, fever, and abdominal pain. It is primarily spread via fecal matter, and easily preventable by vaccination. The biggest concern with rotavirus is dehydration from diarrhea and vomiting, and it is important to keep your child well-hydrated and repleted until the infection clears up.

Vaccines: Rotateq, Rotarix

Rubella

Rubella is a virus that is altogether less serious than Measles. It can be asymptomatic, or can cause similar symptoms of measles including rash, fever, and conjunctivitis. It is also called German Measles. Rubella is most dangerous if contracted by a pregnant woman, as the baby is then at risk for congenital rubella syndrome, characterized by growth delays, cataracts, deafness, congenital abnormalities, intellectual disability, and even death. It is easily preventable by vaccine.

Vaccines: MMR II

Shingles

Shingles is a form of herpes zoster virus (HSV) called varicella that causes a very painful rash. If you have had chicken pox, you are at risk for shingles as shingles is caused by a reactivation of the varicella virus, the same one that causes chicken pox. It is not a deadly disease, but it can be very painful and uncomfortable even after the blisters have cleared (a symptom called postherpetic neuralgia). Shingles and severe shingles are generally preventable by vaccination.

Vaccines: Shingrix

Tetanus

Tetanus is a disease otherwise known as “lockjaw”, caused by the toxin-producing bacterium Clostridium tetani. The toxin produced by the bacteria causes severe muscle contractions. There is no treatment once infected, only supportive care until the infection resolves, and in some cases it can be fatal. Fortunately, thanks to routine vaccination, the incidence of tetanus in developed countries is low. The biggest risk factor for tetanus disease is not keeping up to date with tetanus vaccination.

Vaccines: Infanrix (DTaP), Kinrix (DTaP-IPV), Boostrix (Tdap) Tenivac, TDVAX (Td)

Typhoid

Typhoid fever is caused by a bacteria called Salmonella typhi. It is usually spread via contaminated food or water, or close contact with an infected individual. It is extremely rare in developed countries, and vaccination is recommended if travelling to underdeveloped countries. It is treatable with antibiotics and is rarely life-threatening.

Vaccines: Typhim Vi, Vivotif (PO)