Immunizations & Vaccines
Vaccines are responsible for the control of many infectious diseases that were once common in the country. However, the viruses and bacteria that causes vaccine-preventable diseases and death still exist and can be passed onto people who are not protected by vaccine.
The vaccines offered and authorized by the U.S. Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and recommended by the World Health Organization (WHO), the Immunization Advisory Committee and the American Academy of Pediatrics are:
- Cholera
- Diphtheria
- Gardasil (HPV)
- Hepatitis A & B
- Influenza (Flu)
- Japanese Encephalitis
- Measles
- Meningitis
- Mumps
|
- Pneumonia
- Polio
- Rabies
- Rubella (German Measles)
- Tetanus
- Typhoid
- Varicella (Chicken Pox)
- Yellow Fever
|
Brief Disease Description and Vaccine Effectiveness
Diphtheria:
Diphtheria is a serious disease causes by poison produced from the bacteria. It often causes heart and nerve problems. Although diphtheria is rare in the U.S., it is still a threat, since it is common in the other countries. When used properly, the vaccine is at least 85% effective in preventing diphtheria.
Gardasil:
The Gardasil vaccine prevents the four most common types of human papillomavirus (HPV): types 6, 11, 16 and 18. Types 6 and 11 cause 90% of genital warts and types 16 and 18 cause 70% of cervical cancers. This is a series of three injections over a 6-month period of time. The second injection should occur two months after the first and the third injection should occur four months after the second.
Haemophilus Influenza Type b (Hib) Meningitis:
Two-thirds of all the cases are meningitis and one third were other life-threatening invasive Hib disease such as bacteria in the blood, pneumonia, or inflammation of the epiglottis.
Hepatitis A:
More than 125,000 to 250,000 people in the US become infected. This is a liver disease and can affect anyone. It is transmitted through water and food. International travelers, and people who come into sexual contact with those infected are at risk. The down-side to this disease is that you will won't be able to see the symptoms until 2-3 weeks after you have become infected. The vaccination is administered in a 2-shot series.
Hepatitis B:
More than 2 billion persons have been infected with hepatitis B virus and of these 350 million are life long carriers and can transmit the virus. Infants and children who become infected with hepatitis B virus infection, which often leads to death from liver disease (cirrhosis) and liver cancer. The overall effectiveness of the vaccine in preventing infection is 80% to 95%. The duration of protection is uncertain, but at least 7 years among healthy adults.
Influenza:
The incidence of clinical illness in vaccinated persons, who is less than 65 years old, reduced its rate 70% to 90% less than expected in healthy adults.
Measles:
Measles is one of the most infectious diseases in the world and is frequently imported into the U.S.According to the WHO, nearly 900,000 death occurred among person in developing countries in 1998. A single dose of appropriately times live measles vaccine will provide long-lasting immunity to measles in at least 95% of recipients.
Mumps:
Mumps is usually a mild viral disease. However, rare conditions such as swelling of the brain, nerves and spinal cord can lead to serious side effects such as paralysis, seizures, and fluid in the brain. Mumps vaccine will reduce the incidence of clinical illness by 75% to 95%.
Pertussis (Whooping Cough)
: Infant who are 6 months old or younger with pertussis experience the highest rate of hospitalization, pneumonia, seizure, encephalopathy (degenerative form of brain) an death. Pertussis can be a severe illness, resulting in prolonged coughing spells that can last for many weeks. The vaccine is available in the form of DTP.
Pneumonia:
Pneumococcal vaccine helps prevent pneumonia and blood infections caused by a bacteria called pneumococcus.Infection with this bacteria can be fetal if it occurs in a person who has other medical problems such as a heart condition, diabetes or lung disease.The estimate effectiveness of the vaccine in preventing morbidity is 60% to 64% overall.
Polio:
Polio virus causes acute paralysis that can lead to permanent physical disability and even death.
Rotavirus:
No longer recommended by the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practice (ACIP).
Rubella (German Measles):
While rubella is usually mild in children and adults, up to 90 % of infant born to mothers infected with rubella during the first trimester of pregnancy will develop congenital rubella syndrome (CRS), resulting in heart defects, cataracts, mental retardation, and deafness. Rubella vaccine will provide long-lasting immunity to rubella in at least 95% of recipients.
Tetanus (Lock Jaw):
Tetanus is a severe, often fatal disease. The bacteria that causes tetanus are widely distributed in soil and street dust, are found in the waste of many animals, and are very resistant to heat and germ-killing cleaners.People who get tetanus suffer from stiffness and spasm of the muscles.The larynx (throat) can close causing breathing and eating difficulties; muscle spasms can cause fractures (breaks) of the spine and long bones. Some people go into a coma and die. Tetanus is infectious, but not contagious, so unlike other vaccine-preventable disease. Because tetanus bacteria is widespread in the environment, tetanus can only be prevented by immunization. When used properly, the vaccine is nearly 100% effective in preventing tetanus.
Varicella (Chicken pox):
Chicken pox is usually mild, but may be severe in some infants, adolescents, and adults.Some people who get chicken pox have also suffered from complications such as secondary bacterial infections, loss of fluids (dehydration), pneumonia, and central nervous system involvement. In addition, only persons whohave had chicken pox in the past can get shingles, a painful inflammationof the nerves.
Immunizations for Adults
Vaccines are available to prevent a number of illnesses that contribute to morbidity and mortality in adult in the United States. Adult immunizations are administrated in primary series (for unimmunized persons), booster doses, and periodic doses. However, adults vaccination is underutilized. The reasons for the underutilization are outlined in the National Vaccine Advisory Committee (NVAC) report. It indicated that lack of knowledge about adult vaccination is the most important problems that we need to solve.
Adults need immunizations to keep them from getting certain diseases. Many adults need to be immunized because of medical problems they may have.Adults age 18 years of age and older without contraindication should receive immunizations for influenza, pneumococcal disease, hepatitis B, tetanus-diphtheria, and measles-mumps, rubella as outlined in the ACIP's Update on Adult Immunization (see below).
Age Group
|
TB (every 10 years)
|
Measles
|
Mumps
|
Rubella
|
Influenza (annual)
|
Pneumococcal polysaccharide
|
Hepatitis B
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
- Indicated for persons born after 1956. Two doses recommended for individuals in college setting and among healthcare workers.
- Indicates for all adults believed to be susceptible.
- Especially indicated fro non-pregnant women of child bearing age.
- Indicated if not previously immunized and at increases risk of exposure of HBV.
- Also indicated for younger persons at high at risk of lower-respiratory-tract complications and persons in nursing home.
- Indicated for younger persons at high risk of pheumococal disease.
Common Questions
Do the vaccines have any side effects?
Yes, side effects can occur with vaccination, depending on the vaccine: slight fever, rash or soreness at the site of injection. Slight discomfort is normal and should not be a cause for alarm. Your health care provider can assist you with additional information.
Where can I get more information?
You can call the National Immunization Information Hotline for further immunization information at
(800) 232-2522 (English)
(800) 232-0233 (Spanish)
On-Campus Vaccinations
All prices are subject to change. Please call the Student Health Services for updated prices.
- MMR – (required) $44.40
- Gardasil (series of 3 shots) - $119.40
- Hepatitis B (a series of 3 shots) – $26.00
- Hepatitis A (series of 2 shots) – $20.50
- Meningitis - $90.00
- Tetanus, Diphtheria and Pertussis (TDaP)- $39.00
- Tetanus - $19.10
Disclaimer: The provider of this page is not a medical professional and can make no judgment about the applicability of this information to any specific person or condition. For medical advice, please consult your doctor or local public health service.
References and Resources
Center for Disease Control: National Immunization Program
Family Doctor: Childhood and Adult Immunizations
