Routine Vaccination Recommendations
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), there are presently 15 diseases that have recommended vaccination schedules. The goal is for all US citizens to receive the vaccinations to prevent the spread of these infectious diseases, and ultimately to eradicate them.
Specific vaccine recommendations vary depending on age, geographic location, and other risk factors.
These basic vaccinations are often given in combination to reduce the number of injections. The following diseases can be prevented by following the CDC guidelines for immunization:
- diphtheria - a highly potent, bacterial toxin that inhibits protein development and is often fatal
- hemophilus influenzae type B - bacterial infection that leads to conditions such as meningitis
- hepatitis A - a type of viral hepatitis transmitted through oral contact with feces, which affects the liver, but is usually less harmful than other types of hepatitis
- hepatitis B - a potentially more severe form of viral hepatitis transmitted through blood and body fluid exposure
- human papillomavirus (HPV) - a common sexually transmitted disease that can cause genital warts called condylomas
- influenza (flu) - an acute infectious respiratory disease caused by various strains of influenza viruses
- measles - an acute viral infection marked by fever, a dusky red rash, and inflamed respiratory mucous membranes
- meningitis - inflammation of the brain or spinal cord due to various bacterial or viral infections
- mumps - an infection of salivary or parotid glands and sometimes other areas of the body
- pertussis - an acute bacterial infection of the throat causing high pitched coughing spasms (whooping cough)
- pneumonia - inflammation of the lungs from viruses, bacteria, chemicals, trauma, or other organisms. Vaccination prevents the most commonly occurring bacterial pneumonias.
- rotavirus - a highly contagious virus and, which is the leading cause of severe diarrhea among children
- rubella - sometimes called German measles, an acute viral infection characterized by a rash
- tetanus (lock jaw) - a disease marked by painful contractions of the muscles
- varicella (chicken pox) - an acute contagious disease, usually occurring in children, caused by the varicella-zoster virus and marked by skin eruptions
Please visit the Online Resources page for the most up-to-date guidelines from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the American Academy of Pediatrics.
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© 2007 Montefiore Medical Center
