Immunization Fact Sheet

Immunization is the most powerful tool we have in controlling infectious diseases. The development and use of immunizations has reduced and, in some cases, eliminated many diseases that killed or severely disabled children just a few generations ago.

Before the 1920's, diphtheria was one of the most dreaded childhood diseases in the United States, killing more than 10,000 people each year. Because of immunizations, it is rare today for a healthcare professional to see a case of diphtheria, much less have a child die from it.
The development and routine use of immunization eradicated paralytic polio from United States. Before an immunization was developed, polio infected as many as 57,000 Americans per year, paralyzing thousands.
In 1962, the year before a measles immunization was introduced, almost 500,000 cases of measles were reported in the United States. Due to immunization, that number is now less than 100 per year.

There could be a resurgence of serious and sometimes fatal diseases if we stopped routine immunization.

In the early 1990's, a group of parents in Philadelphia refused to immunize their children. Unfortunately, the city saw a quick resurgence of measles with more than 1,600 infected children and nine fatal cases.

Immunizations are safe and effective and still necessary. Today, it is recommended that children receive 20 or more immunizations in the first two years of life to prevent 11 serious diseases. Adolescents and adults should also be immunized. For more information about all immunizations and the current CDC recommendations, talk to your healthcare professional.

IMMUNIZATION DISEASE WHO SHOULD GET IT AND WHEN

Hepatitis Hepatitis B—a serious liver disease, caused by the hepatitis B virus, which can lead to liver failure, cirrhosis, liver cancer and even death 3 doses:
Children at birth to 2 months, between 1 and 4 months and between 6 and 18 monthsP

Adolescents and high-risk adults, such as healthcare professionals and men who have sex with men, who were not immunized as children should get vaccinated at a 0, 1, 6 month dosing schedule

DTaP Diphtheria—a sometimes fatal disease, it is caused by a bacterium and can result in a thick covering in the back of the throat, leading to breathing problems, paralysis and heart failure

Tetanus—also called lockjaw, is caused by a bacterium usually found in soil and results in painful tightening of the muscles all over the body

Pertussis—a very contagious disease, caused by airborne bacteria, that results in violent coughing spells and can lead to pneumonia, seizures and even death 5 doses:
Children at 2, 4, 6 months, between 15 and 18 months and at 4-6 years

Adolescents and adults should receive booster shots of Td (tetanus-diphtheria) vaccine every 10 years

Hib Haemophilus Influenza type B—also known as Hib disease, is caused by a bacterium, and can cause bacterial meningitis, which can lead to brain damage and deafness. Hib can also cause pneumonia, severe swelling of the throat, infection of the blood, bones and joints, and death 4 doses:
Children at 2, 4, 6 months and between 12 and 15 months

IPV (Inactivated polio vaccine) Polio—a very contagious disease, spread from person to person via the fecal-oral route, can lead to paralysis and even death 4 doses:
Children at 2 and 4 months, between 6 and 18 months, and 4-6 years of age

Pneumoccocal conjugate vaccine Pneumoccocal disease—caused by a bacteria, is the leading cause of bacterial meningitis in the U.S. and can lead to serious illness and even death 4 doses:
Children at 2, 4, 6 months and between 12 and 15 months

MMR Measles—a serious disease caused by a virus, which can lead to ear infection, pneumonia, seizures, brain damage and death

Mumps—caused by a virus, it can lead to deafness, meningitis and painful swelling of the testicles and ovaries

Rubella—a virus, also known as German measles, which if caught during pregnancy, can lead to miscarriage or serious birth defects 2 doses:
Children between 12 and 15 months and at 4-6 years of age

Adults born after 1956 should receive at least one dose

Varicella Chicken pox—a common childhood disease, which can lead to severe skin infections, scars, pneumonia, brain damage, or death 1 dose:
Children between 12 and 18 months

Adolescents and adults, who were not immunized as children, should receive 2 doses 4 to 8 weeks apart

Hepatitis A* Hepatitis A— an infection of the liver caused by a virus and spread from person to person via the fecal-oral route or by consuming contaminated food or water. In rare cases can cause death. 2 doses (six months apart):
Children older than 2 years

Adults at high-risk

*Requirements vary by state. Please talk to your healthcare professional.

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