Adult Vaccines
COVID-19
What is it?
COVID-19 is a contagious respiratory illness disease caused by the SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus.
What does it do?
The COVID-19 virus can cause mild to severe respiratory illness.
How does it spread?
COVID-19 virus spreads when an infected person coughs, sneezes, or talks. Droplets or tiny particles called aerosols carry the virus into the air from their nose or mouth. Anyone who is within 6 feet of that person can breathe it into their lungs.
Signs/Symptoms:
People who have COVID-19 often feel some or all these signs and symptoms: Fever, chills, sore throat, muscle aches and heavy arms or legs, severe fatigue or tiredness, runny or blocked nose, sneezing, headache, sore eyes, dizziness, new and persistent cough, tight chest or chest pain, shortness of breath, hoarse voice, numbness or tingling, appetite loss, nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain or diarrhea, loss or change of sense of taste or smell, and difficulty sleeping.
Highest Risk Groups:
You are at high risk for severe illness from COVID-19 if you are 65 years and older and/or have certain medical conditions such as diabetes, obesity, asthma, a weakened immune system, or a disease affecting your heart, lungs, or kidneys.
Prevention:
The first and most important step in preventing COVID-19 is to get a COVID-19 vaccine each year.
Why Vaccinate?
COVID-19 vaccines provide strong protection against severe illness and death. Although a person can still get COVID-19 after vaccination, they are more likely to have mild or no symptoms. Vaccines are also a safer, more dependable way to build immunity than catching a virus to build immunity. The COVID-19 vaccine is recommended annually, as the formula changes to provide better protection against the virus strains circulating in your community.
For More Information:
Check the CDC website: Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) | CDC
Hepatitis B Vaccine
What is it?
The hepatitis B vaccine protects against the hepatitis B virus, which affects the liver and can cause chronic disease or liver cancer.
What does it do?
The vaccine helps prevent hepatitis B infection, reducing the risk of liver disease and cancer.
How does it spread?
Hepatitis B spreads through contact with infected blood or bodily fluids, such as unprotected sex or sharing needles.
Signs/Symptoms:
Symptoms include fatigue, jaundice, abdominal pain, and dark urine. Chronic infection can lead to cirrhosis or liver cancer.
Highest Risk Groups:
Adults who engage in high-risk behaviors (e.g., injection drug use or unprotected sex) and those with chronic liver disease.
Prevention:
The hepatitis B vaccine is given in a series of three shots over several months, typically during childhood; it is also recommended for adults at risk.
Why Vaccinate?
Hepatitis B can cause severe liver damage, including cirrhosis and liver cancer. Vaccination provides lifelong protection.
For more information;
Check the CDC website: Hepatitis B Vaccine Information Statement | CDC
Human Papillomavirus (HPV) Vaccine
What is it?
The HPV vaccine protects against the human papillomavirus, which can cause cervical, anal, throat, and other cancers.
What does it do?
It helps prevent infections of the types of HPV that are most likely to cause cancer and genital warts.
How does it spread?
HPV spreads through intimate skin-to-skin contact, most often through sexual activity.
Signs/Symptoms:
Most HPV infections have no symptoms, but persistent infections with certain strains can lead to cancer or genital warts.
Highest Risk Groups:
HPV vaccination is recommended for males and females, ideally starting at age 11 or 12, but adults under 26 who have not been vaccinated should still receive the vaccine.
Prevention:
The HPV vaccine is given in a series of two or three doses, depending on age.
Why Vaccinate?
HPV is the leading cause of cervical and other cancers. Vaccination can prevent most of these cancers and related diseases.
For more information;
Check the CDC website: HPV Vaccination Recommendations | CDC
Influenza (Flu)
(Mandatory for Preschools and Daycares, strongly recommended for all other children 6 months and older.)
What is it?
The flu is a contagious respiratory illness caused by the influenza virus.
What does it do?
The flu virus can cause mild to severe respiratory illness.
How does it spread?
The flu virus largely spreads through tiny airborne water droplets, which are expelled when people cough, sneeze, or talk.
Signs/Symptoms:
People who have the flu often feel some or all these signs and symptoms: Fever or feeling feverish/chills, cough, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, muscle or body aches, headaches, and fatigue (tiredness). Some people may have vomiting and diarrhea (though this is more common in children than adults).
Highest Risk Groups:
You are at high risk for severe illness from the flu if you are 65 years and older and/or have certain medical conditions such as diabetes, obesity, asthma, a weakened immune system, or a disease affecting your heart, lungs, or kidneys.
Prevention:
The first and most important step in preventing flu is to get a flu vaccine each year.
Why Vaccinate?
Vaccinating against the flu can help keep you from getting sick. Even if you do get sick after getting vaccinated, your symptoms will likely be mild. Vaccines are also a safer, more dependable way to build immunity than catching a virus to build immunity. The flu vaccine is recommended annually, as the formula changes to provide better protection against the virus strains circulating in your community.
For More Information:
Check the CDC website: About Influenza | Influenza (Flu) | CDC
Measles, Mumps, Rubella (MMR) Vaccine
What is it?
The MMR vaccine protects against measles, mumps, and rubella, all of which are highly contagious viral diseases.
What does it do?
The vaccine helps prevent these three diseases, which can cause severe complications like pneumonia, hearing loss, and birth defects.
How does it spread?
Measles, mumps, and rubella spread through respiratory droplets when an infected person coughs or sneezes.
Signs/Symptoms:
Measles causes a rash, cough, fever, and runny nose; mumps causes swelling of the salivary glands; rubella causes a mild rash, fever, and joint pain.
Highest Risk Groups:
Adults born after 1957 who have not been vaccinated or who have never had the diseases.
Prevention:
The MMR vaccine is given in two doses, typically during childhood, but adults who are not immune may need it as well.
Why Vaccinate?
These diseases can cause serious health issues, including complications that affect the nervous system, fertility, and pregnancy.
For more information;
Check the CDC website: Measles, Mumps, and Rubella (MMR) Vaccination | CDC
Pneumococcal Vaccine
What is it?
The pneumococcal vaccine protects against infections caused by the bacterium Streptococcus pneumoniae, such as pneumonia, meningitis, and blood infections.
What does it do?
It reduces the risk of pneumococcal disease and its complications, particularly in high-risk populations.
How does it spread?
Pneumococcal bacteria spread through respiratory droplets when an infected person coughs or sneezes.
Signs/Symptoms:
Symptoms include fever, chills, cough, difficulty breathing, and chest pain. In more severe cases, it can lead to meningitis or bloodstream infections.
Highest Risk Groups:
Adults aged 50 and older, those with chronic illnesses such as heart disease or diabetes, and people with weakened immune systems are at increased risk.
Prevention:
The pneumococcal vaccines are recommended for adults 50 and older, and for those with certain medical conditions. The vaccines are usually given in sequence.
Why Vaccinate?
Pneumococcal disease can lead to serious complications, including death. Vaccination helps protect against these potentially life-threatening infections.
For more information;
Check the CDC website: Pneumococcal Vaccination | Pneumococcal | CDC
RSV
What is it?
Respiratory Syncytial Virus, or RSV, is a common respiratory virus that is prevalent during the months of November through April.
What does it do?
RSV usually causes mild, cold-like symptoms.
How does it spread?
RSV spreads when an infected person coughs or sneezes or has direct contact with others. People can also contract the illness by touching a contaminated surface.
Signs/Symptoms:
People infected with RSV usually show symptoms within 4 to 6 days after getting infected. Symptoms of RSV infection usually include: runny nose, congestion, decrease in appetite, coughing, sneezing, fever, and wheezing. These symptoms usually appear in stages and not all at once. In very young infants with RSV, their only symptoms may be irritability, decreased activity, and breathing difficulties.
Highest Risk Groups:
Infants (younger than 6 months of age), older adults (65 and older), and/or adults who have certain medical conditions such as diabetes, obesity, asthma, a weakened immune system, or a disease affecting your heart, lungs, or kidneys are more likely to develop severe RSV illness and possibly need hospitalization. In pregnant women, RSV can be passed to the fetus and increase the risk of complications.
Prevention:
The first and most important step in preventing RSV is to get vaccinated.
Why Vaccinate?
Vaccinating against RSV provides protection from severe respiratory illness and possible hospitalization. RSV vaccines are recommended for all adults ages 75 and older and for adults ages 60 – 74 who are at increased risk for severe RSV. There are two immunizations recommended to protect infants from severe RSV: a maternal RSV vaccine (Pfizer’s Abrysvo) given during weeks 32-36 of pregnancy, or an RSV antibody vaccine to be given to infants born during RSV season after birth.
For More Information:
Check the CDC website: RSV Vaccines | RSV | CDC
Tetanus, Diphtheria, and Pertussis (Tdap)
and Tetanus and Diphtheria (Td) Vaccines
What is it?
The Tdap vaccine protects against tetanus, diphtheria, and pertussis, while the Td vaccine only protects against tetanus and diphtheria.
What does it do?
The Tdap vaccine provides immunity to all three diseases, reducing severe complications, especially in infants and the elderly. Td protects against tetanus and diphtheria.
How does it spread?
Diphtheria and pertussis spread via respiratory droplets, while tetanus is contracted through wounds exposed to contaminated objects or soil.
Signs/Symptoms:
o Tetanus: Muscle stiffness and spasms
o Diphtheria: Severe throat infection, difficulty breathing
o Pertussis: Persistent cough
Highest Risk Groups:
o Tdap: Adults in close contact with infants or unvaccinated individuals, as well as anyone with cuts or puncture wounds (for tetanus).
o Td: Adults who have not had a booster shot within 10 years
Prevention:
o Tdap: One-time dose for adults who haven’t received it, especially those in contact with infants. One dose to be given during each pregnancy. Afterward, a Td booster is given every 10 years.
o Td: Given as a booster for those who’ve already had Tdap or as a booster for wound management.
Why Vaccinate?
Vaccination prevents serious complications from tetanus, diphtheria, and pertussis, especially in vulnerable populations like infants.
For more information;
Check the CDC website: Tetanus Vaccine Recommendations | Tetanus | CDC
Varicella (Chickenpox) Vaccine
What is it?
The varicella vaccine protects against chickenpox, a contagious disease caused by the varicella-zoster virus.
What does it do?
It helps prevent chickenpox and its complications, including severe skin infections, pneumonia, and encephalitis.
How does it spread?
Chickenpox spreads through respiratory droplets and direct contact with the rash.
Signs/Symptoms:
Symptoms include an itchy rash with red spots and blisters, fever, and fatigue.
Highest Risk Groups:
Adults who have never had chickenpox or the vaccine are at increased risk of severe disease.
Prevention:
Adults who have never had chickenpox or been vaccinated should receive the varicella vaccine in two doses.
Why Vaccinate?
Chickenpox can lead to severe complications in adults, including pneumonia and hospitalization. Vaccination is the best prevention.
For more information;
Check the CDC website: Chickenpox Vaccination | Chickenpox (Varicella) | CDC
Zoster (Shingles) Vaccine
What is it?
The Zoster vaccine protects against shingles, a painful condition caused by the reactivation of the varicella-zoster virus (the same virus that causes chickenpox).
What does it do?
The vaccine helps prevent shingles and its complications, particularly postherpetic neuralgia (long-term pain after the rash heals).
How does it spread?
Shingles itself is not contagious, but the fluid in its blisters can spread the chickenpox virus to someone who’s never had chickenpox or its vaccine, causing them to get chickenpox—not shingles.
Signs/Symptoms:
Shingles causes a painful rash, often in a single stripe on one side of the body. The pain can persist even after the rash heals (postherpetic neuralgia)
Highest Risk Groups:
Adults aged 50 years and older, as the risk of shingles increases with age.
Prevention:
The Zoster vaccine is given in 2 doses, typically recommended for adults 50 years and older.
Why Vaccinate?
Shingles can cause severe pain and complications that last for months or even years. Vaccination significantly reduces the risk of shingles and its long-term effects.