Immunization

The hepatitis A virus can cause serious liver disease. The hepatitis A vaccine is recommended for all children who are older than 1, people living in or traveling to countries with a high prevalence of hepatitis A, people with chronic liver disease, people who are treated with clotting factors, men who have sex with men, and people who use street drugs.

Possible side effects include:

• Redness or soreness at the injection site
• Headache
• Loss of appetite
• Tiredness
• Allergic reaction (rare)

For more information about Hepatitis A, visit the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website.

How do I prepare for my immunization?

The hepatitis B virus can cause serious liver disease. The hepatitis B vaccine is recommended for everyone, from infants through adults. People at higher risk for hepatitis B infection include those with chronic kidney or liver disease, close contacts of those infected with hepatitis B, people with jobs that expose them to human blood or body fluids, people traveling to countries with a high prevalence of hepatitis B, people with HIV infection, men who have sex with men, and people who use street drugs.

Possible side effects include:

• Redness or soreness at the injection site
• Fever
• Allergic reaction (rare)

For more information about Hepatitis B, visit the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website.

How do I prepare for my immunization?

Hepatitis A and Hepatitis B are viruses that cause serious liver disease. Twinrix contains immunizations against Hepatitis A and Hepatitis B. Adults 18 years and older who are at risk for Hepatitis A and Hepatitis B (see individual products) can receive Twinrix.

Possible side effects include:

• Redness or soreness at the injection site
• Headache
• Loss of appetite
• Tiredness
• Allergic reaction (rare)

For more information about Hepatitis A, visit the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website.

For more information about Hepatitis B, visit the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website.

How do I prepare for my immunization?

The human papillomavirus (HPV) is the most common sexually transmitted infection in the United States. HPV can cause cervical cancer in women. In men and women, it can cause less common cancers of the genitals and mouth, and can also cause warts. The HPV vaccine should be given to women ages 11-26 and men ages 11-21.

Possible side effects include:

• Redness or soreness at the injection site
• Headache
• Mild to moderate fever
• Fainting
• Allergic reaction (rare)

For more information about Gardasil 9®, visit the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website

How do I prepare for my immunization?

The meningococcal bacteria can cause serious infections of the brain, spinal cord, and blood. Meningococcal disease is most common in infants less than 1 year old, people who are 16-21 years old, and people who don’t have spleens. People living in close quarters, such as in college dormitories or in military barracks, are also at higher risk for meningococcal disease.

Possible side effects include:

• Redness or soreness at the injection site
• Mild fever
• Allergic reaction (rare)

How do I prepare for my immunization?

Doses recommended vary, see CDC links below for more detailed information.

Pneumococcal disease can cause infections of the lungs (pneumonia), blood, and brain. Children under 2 years of age, people with certain medical conditions or weak immune systems, adults over 65, and smokers are at the highest risk for pneumococcal infections.

Possible side effects include:

• Redness or soreness at the injection site
• Fever
• Muscle aches

Dosing Information:

Most people only need one dose of Pneumovax 23, but a second dose of Pneumovax 23 and another type of pneumococcal vaccine called Prevnar 13 are recommended for certain high-risk groups.

Note that pricing information listed is for one dose and prices vary between Pneumovax23® and Prevnar 13®

For more information about Prevnar®, visit the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website

For more information about Prevnar13®, visit the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website

How do I prepare for my immunization?

Pneumococcal disease can cause infections of the lungs (pneumonia), blood, and brain. Children under 2 years of age, people with certain medical conditions or weak immune systems, adults over 65, and smokers are at the highest risk for pneumococcal infections.

Possible side effects include:

• Redness or soreness at the injection site
• Fever
• Muscle aches
• Allergic reaction (rare)

For more information about Prevnar®, visit the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website

For more information about Prevnar13®, visit the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website

How do I prepare for my immunization?

Shingles is a painful rash, often with blisters. Shingles is caused by the same virus that causes chickenpox; if you’ve had chickenpox, you can get shingles. Shingles is more common in adults over 50 years of age, and people with weakened immune systems. The shingles vaccine is recommended in adults 50 years of age and older.

Possible side effects include:

• Redness or soreness at the injection site
• Headache
• Allergic reaction (rare)

For more information about Shingles, visit the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website

How do I prepare for my immunization?

The tetanus, diphtheria and pertussis vaccine (Tdap) prevents 3 diseases- tetanus (or lockjaw), diphtheria (a respiratory infection), and pertussis (whooping cough). Tdap should be given once to around the age of 11 or 12 years, or to older individuals who have never received Tdap. Pregnant women should receive a Tdap dose during every pregnancy to protect their baby from whooping cough.

Possible side effects include:

• Redness or soreness at the injection site
• Mild to moderate fever
• Headache
• Nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea
• Tiredness
• Chills and body aches
• Allergic reaction (rare)

How do I prepare for my immunization?