Immunization Information

Hepatitis A is a serious liver disease caused by the Hepatitis A virus (HAV). HAV is found in the stool of persons with Hepatitis A. It is usually spread by close personal contact and sometimes by eating food or drinking water containing HAV; this is why it is very important to wash your hands after you use the bathroom. Hepatitis A can cause mild flu-like symptoms, jaundice (yellow skin or eyes), and/or severe stomach pains, and diarrhea.

People with Hepatitis A infection often have to be hospitalized. In rare cases, Hepatitis A causes death. A person with Hepatitis A can easily pass the disease to others within the same household.

Hepatitis A vaccine can prevent hepatitis A. Two doses of the vaccine are needed for lasting protection. The doses should be given at least 6 months apart. 

For additional information, see the Vaccine Information Statement at this site.

Hepatitis B is a serious liver disease caused by the Hepatitis B virus (HBV). HBV is spread by contact with blood or other body fluids of an infected person. The most common ways to spread HBV is by having unprotected sex with an infected person, sharing needles when injecting illegal drugs, being struck with a used needle on the job, or during birth when the virus passes from an infected mother to her infant. About 33% of people who have HBV in the U.S. have no idea how they got it.

Symptoms of HBV are loss of appetite, tiredness, diarrhea and vomiting, jaundice (yellowing of the eyes or skin), or pain in the muscles, joints, and stomach. HBV can also lead to liver damage (cirrhosis), liver cancer, and even death.

Facts about HBV:

• There is no cure for HBV.
• About 1.25 million people in the U.S. have a chronic HBV infection.
• HBV is 100 times more contagious than HIV, the virus that causes AIDS.
• HBV is a resilient virus, which means it can remain infectious on certain surfaces for up to a month.

HBV can be prevented by the Hepatitis B vaccine. The Hepatitis B vaccine is usually given in 2-3 doses, depending on the age of the person getting the vaccine. The second dose is given at least one month after the first dose, and the third dose is given at least two months after the second dose and four months after the first dose. 

For additional information, see the Vaccine Information Statement at this site.

Genital Human Papillomavirus (HPV) is a disease caused by the Human Papillomavirus. HPV is most commonly spread through sexual contact.

Most HPV infections do not cause any symptoms, and go away on their own. However, some people get visible genital warts (soft, moist, pink, or flesh-colored swellings), or have pre-cancerous changes in the cervix, vulva, anus, or penis. HPV infections sometimes result in anal, genital or oral cancers.

Some facts about HPV:

• 79 million Americans, most in their late teens and early 20's, are infected with HPV

• 80% of people will be infected with HPV at some point in their lives

The HPV vaccine protects against nine major types of HPV, and can prevent most genital warts and most cases of cervical cancer. The HPV vaccine is for males and females from ages 9-44 years of age and is given in three doses. The second dose is given two months after the first dose, and the third dose is given six months after the first dose. 

For additional information, see the Vaccine Information Statement at this site.

Influenza (Flu) is a very contagious disease caused by the influenza virus. This disease is spread from person to person through coughing or sneezing.

Influenza symptoms are fever, chills, headache, sore throat, dry cough, runny nose and body aches. It can lead to pneumonia and can be very dangerous for people with heart and breathing problems. It can also cause high fever and seizures in children. Influenza kills about 36,000 people annually in the U.S., mostly among the elderly.

The Influenza vaccine can prevent influenza. A "flu shot" can be given at any time during the autumn or winter but is most effective when it is given from early October through December, before the flu season begins.

Are you at risk for influenza?  You should get a flu shot if you have any of the following conditions:

• Asthma
• Diabetes
• Heart disease
• Blood disorders
• Kidney disease
• Immune disorders (i.e. long-term steroid use, HIV infection)
• Women who will be in the second or third trimester of pregnancy during flu season

Others who should be vaccinated:

• Those living with a high-risk person (see list above)
• Health care students and employees
• Students living in a residence hall who would like to minimize their risk
• Those 50 years of age or older
• International travelers
• Healthy children ages 6-23 months
• Household contacts and caretakers for children age 0-23 months

For additional information, see the Vaccine Information Statement at this site.

Tetanus (lockjaw) is caused by bacteria that enters the body though a break in the skin (often a puncture wound or deep scratch). Tetanus causes painful muscle contractions all over the body including locking of the jaw, so an infected person cannot open their mouth or swallow. About 20% of people who get tetanus die.

Diphtheria is caused by bacteria passed from one person to another in the droplets released when an infected person coughs or sneezes. Symptoms of diphtheria include sore throat, fever and swollen neck glands. As the disease progresses, a membrane is formed in the throat that can lead to breathing problems, paralysis, heart failure and death. Since the U.S. government has made it mandatory for school-age children to receive this vaccine, the Diphtheria disease has almost been eliminated in the U.S.  

Tetanus and Diphtheria (Td) are in a combination shot. 

For additional information, see the Vaccine Information Statement at this site.

There is also a new combination shot that includes the Pertussis vaccine with the Tetanus and Diphtheria vaccines (Tdap); Pertussis has been added to the tetanus and diphtheria combination. This new combination vaccine (Tdap) now helps protect against all three serious diseases.

Pertussis (Whooping Cough) is caused by bacteria passed from one person to another in the droplets released when an infected person coughs. Symptoms of Pertussis are severe coughing spells, whooping, and vomiting; as the disease progresses it can lead to weight loss, incontinence, rib fractures, pneumonia, passing out from violent coughing, and hospitalization due to complications. Most deaths occur among unvaccinated children or children too young to be vaccinated.

Adults should have a Td shot or the new Tdap shot with the Pertussis, once every 10 years to ensure protection. If you haven't had at least three Td shots in your lifetime, or if you're not sure if you have, you will need to complete your basic series of three shots and follow up with booster doses every 10 years. If you have received an injury or traveled outside of the U.S., it is advised that you be assessed for a booster every five to ten years. The new combination with the Pertussis has a similar regimen.

For additional information, see the Vaccine Information Statement at this site.

 Varicella (Chicken Pox) is very contagious and is caused by the varicella-zoster virus. The varicella-zoster virus is spread from person to person through the air or by coming in contact with the fluid from the chickenpox blisters.

Symptoms of Varicella are an itchy rash, fever, and tiredness. Varicella can lead to severe skin infection, scars, pneumonia, brain damage, or death. A person who has had chickenpox can get a painful rash called shingles years later. Before the Varicella vaccine, about 11,000 people were hospitalized and about 100 people died each year in the United States due to the varicella-zoster virus.

The Varicella vaccine comes in shot form. Children should have two doses of the Varicella vaccine before the age of six. People 13 years old and above (who have never had chickenpox or received the vaccine) should get two doses at least 28 days apart.

For additional information, see the Vaccine Information Statement at this site.