Immunizations are one of the most effective ways to prevent serious illness in children and adults. Pediatric immunization programs in the US have been quite successful in reducing the number of children affected by a range of highly contagious diseases, including Measles, Mumps, Rubella, Diphtheria and Polio.
Hepatitis B
Inflammation of the liver (hepatitis) can be caused by toxic drugs, chemical agents and certain viral infections including Hepatitis B virus (HPV). Although Hepatitis B infection often resolves or causes no symptoms, HBV can cause chronic liver disease that leads to progressive scarring (cirrhosis) or liver cancer. HBV is transmitted by contact with an infected individual’s body fluids. It can be transmitted from an infected pregnant woman to her baby.
Hepatitis B vaccine is recommended for all children beginning at birth but can be started at a later time. It requires 3 doses.
Hepatitis A
Hepatitis due to infection with Hepatitis A virus (HAV) is one of the most common viral infections in children and adolescents in the US. HAV infection often causes few or no symptoms in younger children. By contrast, infection in adults can vary in severity from mild flu-like illness to rapidly progressive severe liver disease. HAV is found in the stool of infected individuals. A person can become infected with HAV by consuming contaminated food or water or by touching the mouth, nose or eyes after touching a contaminated surface.
Hepatitis A vaccine is recommended in all children 12-23 months. Older children and adults also can consider being immunized. In all age groups, 2 doses of the vaccine are required at least 6 months apart.
Diphtheria, Tetanus, Pertussis
Diphtheria is a highly contagious disease caused by a bacterial toxin. It is usually transmitted via droplet particles that are coughed or sneezed into the air. The toxin can lead to damage of the kidneys, brain, nervous system or heart.
Tetanus is an infection cause by a bacterial toxin. Bacteria reside in the soil and intestinal tracts of certain mammals. It enters the body through an open wound, multiplies and produces a toxin that can affect nerves controlling muscle activity. A common symptom of tetanus infections is stiffness of the jaw muscles (“lockjawâ€).
Pertussis, or whooping cough, is an upper respiratory infection caused by a bacterial organism that is highly contagious. It spreads easily and can cause serious illness, especially in infants.
Combined DTaP is recommended for all children in the US. A total of 5 separate doses are recommended. The first 3 doses are at 2 months, 4 months, and 6 months. The 4th dose is at 15-18 months and the 5th dose is at 4-6 years. Subsequent doses are recommended at 10 year intervals throughout life.
Polio
During the first half of the 20th century, Polio was a major cause of serious illness and death throughout the world. It is still a significant health problem in some developing countries. Primary signs of Polio include muscle weakness, pain and fatigue. Ultimately, the illness can lead to paralysis and even death.
Vaccination of all children is recommended to avoid new outbreaks.
IPV series in the US consists of 4 doses. The first 2 doses are given at 2 and 4 months. The 3rd dose is given at 6-18 months and the 4th dose at 4-6 years.
Rotavirus
Rotavirus is the single most important cause of severe diarrhea and dehydration in infants and young children. Immunization against Rotavirus is recommended for all infants in the US.
The vaccine is in a liquid form and is given by mouth. Three doses are recommended at 2, 4, and 6 months. The third dose should be given by 8 months.
Haemophilus influenzae B (Hib)
Until the mid-1990s, Hib was the most common cause of bacterial meningitis in children. It was also responsible for other serious bacterial infections, including skin, throat and joint infections. Despite its name, Hib is not actually related to the influenza virus.
The vaccine is given at 2, 4, and 6 months and a booster at 12-15months.
Pneumococcal
Streptococcus pneumoniae can cause serious infections, including meningitis and pneumonia that can be fatal in young children;
Children receive a total of 4 doses at 2, 4, 6, and 12-15 months of age.
Influenza
Commonly known as flu, influenza is a highly contagious viral infection that occurs in outbreaks world wide.
Annual immunization against influenza is recommended for all children ages 6 months to 18 years.
Measles, Mumps and Rubella (MMR)
Measles, Mumps and Rubella are illnesses that may be transmitted by airborne droplets released during coughing or sneezing.
Measles (rubeola) is a highly contagious viral illness of the respiratory tract that primarily affects children. It causes a distinctive rash, fever, and cough and may result in complications including infection of the middle ear, lungs and brain.
Mumps is an acute, usually mild viral infection of childhood that causes painful swelling of salivary glands. Mumps complications can develop including inflammation of the brain (encephalitis), protective membranes of the brain (meningitis), and in males after puberty, swelling and tenderness of one or both tests (orchitis).
Rubella (aka German measles), a mild viral infection, causes fever, swelling of lymph nodes in the neck and a distinctive rash. However, it can cause severe birth defects if a woman becomes infected during early pregnancy.
The first MMR vaccine is given at 12-15 months and the second at 4-6 years.
Varicella (chicken pox)
Varicella is a highly contagious viral illness caused by infection with Varicella Zoster virus. The disease causes fever, sore throat and a distinctive, itchy rash with fluid filled blisters that later form scabs. It is transmitted via spread of airborne droplets or direct contact with skin lesions. Complications include bacterial infections of the skin, pneumonia or less commonly inflammation of the brain.
The vaccine is recommended at 12-18 months and at 4-6 years.