Immunizations

This section provides information on immunizations

that you may need.

Diphtheria

This serious disease is caused by bacteria that produce a poison or toxin. Diphtheria can cause blockage of the airway, heart problems and paralysis of the muscles needed for swallowing.

Hib Disease

Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib) bacteria causes meningitis. It can also cause pneumonia and infection of the blood, joints, bones, throat and heart covering. The disease is very serious for children younger than age 5.

Hepatitis A

Hepatitis A is a liver disease. Older persons are more likely to have symptoms, such as fever, tiredness, loss of appetite, nausea, abdominal discomfort, dark urine and jaundice than children. Hepatitis A virus is spread from person to person by putting something in the mouth that has been contaminated with the stool of a person with hepatitis A.

Hepatitis B

Hepatitis B is an infection of the liver caused by a virus. It spreads through contact with blood or other body fluids due to sexual contact or sharing of personal items. Hepatitis B causes a flu-like illness with loss of appetite, nausea, vomiting, rashes, joint pain and jaundice.

Influenza (flu)

Influenza is a highly contagious viral infection of the nose, throat and lungs. It is one of the most severe illnesses of the winter season, and spreads easily when an infected person coughs or sneezes. Typical symptoms include an abrupt onset of high fever, chills, a dry cough, headache, runny nose, sore throat and muscle and joint pain.

Measles

The measles virus is spread very easily. Just being in the same room with a person with measles is enough to catch the disease. Symptoms include a rash, fever, cough and watery eyes. Measles can also cause pneumonia, seizures, brain damage or death.

Mumps

The mumps virus causes fever, headaches, and swollen salivary glands under the jaw. Children who get mumps may develop a mild meningitis and sometimes encephalitis. Mumps can also result in permanent hearing loss.

Pertussis (whooping cough)

Pertussis is caused by bacteria. It can cause spells of violent coughing and choking, making it hard to breathe, drink or eat. The cough can last for weeks. Pertussis is most serious for babies, who can get pneumonia, have seizures, become brain damaged, or even die.

Pneumococcal Disease

Pneumococcal disease is a bacterial infection that invades the lungs, causing the most common kind of bacterial pneumonia which can invade the bloodstream and/or the brain. Symptoms include high fever, cough with chest pain and mucus, shaking chills and breathlessness.

Polio

Polio is caused by a virus that is spread by contact with the feces of an infected person. Symptoms can include sudden fever, sore throat, headache, muscle weakness and pain. Polio can cause paralysis and death.

Rubella (German Measles)

The rubella virus usually causes a mild sickness with fever, swollen glands, and a rash that lasts about 3 days. If a pregnant woman gets rubella, she can lose her unborn baby or it can be born with birth defects.

Tetanus (lockjaw)

Tetanus is caused by a toxin produced by a bacteria that enters the body through a cut or wound. Tetanus causes serious, painful spasms and stiffness of all muscles in the body and can lead to "locking" of the jaw so a person cannot open his or her mouth, swallow or breathe.

Varicella (chicken pox)

The varicella virus usually causes a rash, itching, tiredness and fever. It can sometimes lead to severe skin infections, pneumonia, brain infection or death. Complications occur most often in very young children, adults or people with damaged immune systems.