Disease: Chickenpox is a highly contagious illness caused by the varicella-zoster virus. It leads to an itchy, blister-like rash, fever, and fatigue, and can cause serious complications such as pneumonia or brain inflammation, especially in adults or people with weakened immune systems.
Vaccine: The varicella vaccine provides strong protection and is given in two doses. If you’ve never had chickenpox and have not had two doses of vaccine, ask your healthcare provider about vaccination.
Disease: Chikungunya is a viral disease spread by mosquitoes found mainly in tropical and subtropical regions of the world. It causes sudden fever, severe joint pain, rash, and fatigue, with joint symptoms sometimes lasting for months.
Vaccine: The chikungunya vaccine, given as a single dose, helps prevent infection in people at risk, especially travelers to areas where mosquitoes are spreading the virus.
Disease: Cholera is caused by the Vibrio cholerae bacterium, leading to severe watery diarrhea and dehydration. It spreads through contaminated food or water in areas with poor sanitation and inadequate access to clean water. It can be deadly if untreated.
Vaccine: Oral cholera vaccines provide good protection for several months. They are recommended for certain travelers and residents in areas with active cholera outbreaks where sanitation and safety of available food and water cannot be assured.
Disease: COVID-19 is an illness caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus. It can range from mild cold-like symptoms to severe pneumonia, blood clots, organ damage, or death. The disease is more likely to be severe in young infants, people with chronic health problems, and people age 65 and older.
Vaccine: COVID-19 vaccines reduce the risk of severe disease, hospitalization, and death. They are especially important for people at high risk of complications. Seasonal doses help maintain protection over time.
Disease: Dengue is an illness caused by a virus spread by mosquitoes, leading to high fever, severe headache, muscle pain, and rash. It is common in many tropical and subtropical parts of the world. Severe dengue illness, leading to bleeding, organ damage, or death, is more likely to occur the second time a person gets a dengue infection.
Vaccine: A dengue vaccine is recommended for certain children who have had a prior dengue infection and live in U.S. territories where dengue spreads. It is not recommended for travelers.
Disease: Diphtheria is a serious, life-threatening infection caused by Corynebacterium diphtheriae that affects the throat and airway, causing breathing problems and heart or nerve damage. Outbreaks still occur in areas of the world with poor vaccination rates.
Vaccine: The diphtheria vaccine is part of combination vaccines like DTaP and Tdap, which also protect against tetanus and pertussis beginning in infancy. Adults need a booster dose every ten years to maintain protection throughout life.
Disease: Hepatitis A is a liver infection caused by a virus spread through contaminated food, water, or contact with infected people. Symptoms include fatigue, nausea, abdominal pain, and yellowing of the skin (jaundice), which may last weeks or months.
Vaccine: The hepatitis A vaccine provides strong, long-term protection after two doses. It is recommended for all children, travelers to areas where hepatitis A is common, and anyone at risk due to community outbreaks.
Disease: Hepatitis B is an infection caused by a virus spread through blood and body fluids, leading to liver inflammation. It can cause lifelong infection, especially if infected at birth or in childhood, and can lead to cirrhosis or liver cancer.
Vaccine: The hepatitis B vaccine is highly effective and routinely given to infants to provide lifelong protection from illness. A one-time series of two or three doses is recommended for everyone younger than age 60.
Disease:Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib) bacteria can cause serious, life-threatening infections such as meningitis, pneumonia, and epiglottitis (a dangerous airway infection), especially in young children.
Vaccine: The Hib vaccine is part of routine childhood immunization, beginning at 2 months of age, and provides strong protection against Hib disease. Hib disease is now very rare because of vaccination.
Disease: Human papillomavirus (HPV) is a very common virus transmitted through skin-to-skin and sexual contact. Some strains of HPV cause warts, while others can lead to cancer. HPV is the most common cause of throat cancers in men and cervical cancers in women.
Vaccine: HPV vaccine provides strong, long-term protection against the strains that cause warts and most HPV cancers. The vaccine should be given to anyone younger than age 26, but it works best when 2 doses are given as recommended, between 9 and 12 years of age.
Disease: Influenza (flu) is a contagious virus that causes fever, cough, sore throat, and body aches. It causes seasonal epidemics every winter. It can lead to serious complications, including pneumonia, heart attack, and stroke. Serious illness is most likely in the very young, elderly, or chronically ill.
Vaccine: The influenza vaccine is updated each year to match circulating strains and is recommended for everyone age 6 months and older. Vaccination is the best protection against infection and severe illness.
Disease: Japanese encephalitis is a virus spread by mosquitos found in parts of Asia and the western Pacific. Most infections are mild, but some cause brain inflammation that can lead to permanent disability or death.
Vaccine: The Japanese encephalitis vaccine is recommended for some travelers spending significant time in rural areas where the disease is common. It provides protection after the two-dose series, although booster doses may be needed over time to sustain long-term protection.
Disease: Measles is an extremely contagious virus that causes fever, cough, runny nose, and a rash. It can lead to complications such as pneumonia, brain swelling, and death.
Vaccine: The MMR vaccine protects against measles, mumps, and rubella. Two doses are routinely given in early childhood and provide nearly complete, lifelong protection against measles.
Disease: Meningococcal disease is a bacterial infection that can cause meningitis (inflammation of the lining of the brain and spinal cord) or bloodstream infection. It is rare but develops rapidly and can cause death or permanent disability.
Vaccines: Meningococcal vaccines protect against the major types (known as A, B, C, W, and Y). They are recommended for adolescents, college students, certain travelers, and people who take medications or have medical conditions that increase their risk of meningococcal disease.
Disease: Mpox is caused by the monkeypox virus, which is related to smallpox. It most commonly spreads through close, skin-to-skin contact with infected individuals or animals. It causes fever, swollen lymph nodes, and a distinctive, painful rash. It can be very serious in people with a weakened immune system.
Vaccine: The mpox vaccine helps prevent mpox and smallpox. It’s recommended for people who are at increased risk of being exposed to the virus.
Disease: Mumps is an infection caused by a virus that typically leads to swelling of the salivary glands, fever, and muscle aches. It can also cause painful swelling of the testes or ovaries in adolescents and adults. Complications can include meningitis and hearing loss.
Vaccine: Two doses of measles, mumps, rubella (MMR) vaccine provides strong protection against mumps. If a fully vaccinated person gets a mumps infection, illness is typically mild and unlikely to lead to complications.
Disease: Caused by Streptococcus pneumoniae bacteria (also known as pneumococcus), this infection can lead to pneumonia, ear infections, meningitis, or bloodstream infections. It can be particularly dangerous for young children, older adults, and people with other chronic health conditions.
Vaccine: Pneumococcal vaccines protect against many common strains. They are recommended for all infants, all adults age 50 and older, and younger people with chronic conditions that increase their risk of pneumococcal disease.
Disease: Polio is a paralytic disease caused by a virus spread through contact with infected stool or contaminated water. Most infections have no symptoms or cause a mild flu-like illness, but some infections attack the nervous system and cause life-threatening paralysis.
Vaccine: Because of vaccination, polio infections are rare worldwide. The inactivated polio vaccine (IPV) used in the United States provides strong protection against paralytic polio and is a routine infant vaccine.
Disease: Rabies is a deadly virus spread through the bite or saliva of infected animals. Dogs are the most common source of human rabies worldwide. In the United States, the most common sources of rabies are bats, raccoons, and skunks, but any mammal may be infected. Once symptoms appear, rabies is almost always fatal.
Vaccine: The rabies vaccine series can be given to people at high risk of exposure (like veterinarians or certain travelers) or after an animal bite to prevent disease.
Disease: Rotavirus causes severe diarrhea and vomiting in infants and young children, leading to dehydration and hospitalization. It spreads easily through contact with infected stool.
Vaccine: The rotavirus vaccine, given as a liquid to swallow in early infancy, provides strong protection against severe diarrhea and has dramatically reduced clinic visits and hospitalizations.
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