What is it?

The flu virus can cause fever, sore throat, cough, chills, headache, and muscle aches. It’s important to know that flu can be serious, even for healthy individuals. Flu vaccination is especially important for adults over age 65 or those with health conditions such as diabetes, heart disease, lung disease, or other chronic illnesses.

CDC Recommendation:

• All children and adults age 6 months and older should get 1 dose of flu vaccine every year.

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What is it? Hepatitis A is a liver disease which can cause nausea, vomiting, and a number of more serious symptoms. It is spread by the consumption of contaminated food or water and through occupational or personal contact with infected animals or humans. It is not a lifelong disease. The best way to prevent Hepatitis A is by getting the vaccine.

CDC Recommendation:

• All children should get the Hepatitis A vaccine at age of 1 year. 
• All unvaccinated adults should get the Hepatitis A vaccine if they are in the high-risk group or travelling to a location where the vaccination is recommended.

What is it?

Hepatitis B is a serious disease caused by a virus that attacks the liver. It is spread by contact with blood or other bodily fluid of a person who is already infected. The Hepatitis B virus can cause lifelong infection, cirrhosis (scarring) of the liver, liver cancer, liver failure, and death. The best way to prevent Hepatitis B is by getting a Hepatitis B vaccine.

CDC Recommendation:

• Babies should get vaccinated against the Hepatitis B virus in a series of 3-4 shots over a 6-month period. 
• All children and adolescents younger than 19 years of age who have not yet gotten the vaccine should also be vaccinated. 
• All unvaccinated adults should get vaccinated if they are in the high-risk group.

What is it?

HPV (human papillomavirus) can cause certain cancers and disease including cervical cancer and genital warts. HPV is spread through intimate skin-to-skin contact. Vaccination can help prevent certain HPV infections.

CDC Recommendation:

• All children 11 or 12 years of age should get 2 doses of the HPV vaccine.
• All unvaccinated adolescents and adults age 15 to 26 years should get 3 doses of the HPV vaccine.

What is it?

Measles, mumps, and rubella are infections that can lead to significant illness. More than 95% of children receiving the MMR vaccine will be protected from the three diseases throughout their lives.

CDC Recommendation:

• All children should get the first dose of MMR vaccine at age 12 to 15 months and second dose at age 4 to 6 years.
• All adults with no evidence of immunity should get 1 dose the MMR vaccine and 2 doses if in the high-risk group.

What is it?

Bacteria in the lining of the brain and spinal cord can cause meningitis. The meningitis bacteria are spread by cough and saliva. Infection can progress to death within 24-48 hours or lead to permanent disabilities such as hearing loss, brain damage, or loss of limbs. Vaccinations can help prevent this infection.

CDC Recommendation:

• All children and adolescents should get the first dose at age 11 or 12 years and a second dose at age 16 years. 
• Adolescents and young adults age 16 to 23 years may also be vaccinated with a meningococcal serogroup B vaccine, preferably at 16 to 18 years old.

What is it?

Pneumonia is a serious, sometimes fatal, lung infection that causes fever, cough, or difficulty breathing. Pneumonia is spread by tiny droplets in the air after an infected person coughs or sneezes. You can protect yourself by getting vaccinated at any time of the year for long-term protection of the disease.

CDC Recommendation:

• Babies and children younger than 2 years old should get the pneumococcal conjugate vaccine. 
• Seniors should get two different pneumonia vaccines that work well together (pneumococcal conjugate and pneumococcal polysaccharide).

What is it?

Shingles is a painful skin rash that typically produces a painful rash that blisters and can last up to 30 days. Shingles is caused by the same virus that causes chickenpox. If you’ve had chickenpox, you have the shingles virus inside you already, but it is inactive. As you get older, your immune system naturally weakens, increasing your risk of the virus reactivating as shingles. Vaccination is the best way to avoid getting shingles.

CDC Recommendation:

• Healthy adults 50 years and older should get two doses of the inactive shingles vaccine, with the second administered 2 to 6 months after the first.

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What is it?

Tetanus, also known as lockjaw, is a serious but preventable disease that affects the body's muscles and nerves. It causes a person’s neck and jaw muscles to lock, making it hard to open the mouth or swallow. Getting vaccinated can prevent tetanus.

CDC Recommendation:

• All children should get the first series of tetanus shots starting at age of 2 months.
• All children should get the next tetanus shot at age 11 to 12 years.
• All adults should get a tetanus shot every 10 years.

What is it?

Whooping cough, also known as pertussis, affects the respiratory tract causing excessive coughing fits that can disturb normal breathing. It is highly contagious and can spread through coughing or sneezing. Vaccination can help prevent whooping cough.

CDC Recommendation:

• All children should get the Tdap vaccine at age 11 to 12 years.
• All unvaccinated adults should get 1 dose of the Tdap vaccine.
• All pregnant women should get 1 dose of the Tdap vaccine during each pregnancy, preferably in gestational weeks 27 to 36.