Catching Up on Missed Immunizations

The following vaccines have had shortage or supply problems this year. These problems are now over or are quickly being resolved. Check with your doctor to see when you and your family members can schedule an appointment to catch-up on any missed immunizations.

Chickenpox (Varicella)

Children should get one dose of chickenpox vaccine between 12 and 18 months of age, or at any age after that if they have never had chickenpox. People who do not get the vaccine until 13 years of age or older should get two doses, 4-8 weeks apart.

Chickenpox is a highly contagious virus of the herpes family that can be spread by coughing and sneezing. Out of 1,000 children infected in the United States from chickenpox each year, 1.7 are hospitalized and 2 in every 100,000 infected die.
Adults are 10 times more likely than children to develop severe complications when infected with chickenpox virus.

Diphtheria, Tetanus and Pertussis (DTaP)

DTaP is a combination of diphtheria toxoid, tetanus toxoid and acellular pertussis vaccine that is administered in a five-dose series to babies and children.

Diphtheria is a respiratory disease caused by bacteria that can be spread by coughing and sneezing. One in ten children with diphtheria dies from suffocation, heart failure or paralysis.
Tetanus is a disease of the nervous system caused by bacteria widely present in much of our environment, which enter the body through a break in the skin. This disease can cause severe and painful muscles spasms and may result in death.
Pertussis (also known as whooping cough) is a respiratory disease caused by bacteria that can be spread by coughing and sneezing. This disease can cause severe coughing spells and lead to pneumonia, seizures, brain damage and death.

Measles, Mumps and Rubella

Children should get two doses of MMR vaccine, the first at 12-15 months of age and the second at 4-6 years of age.

Measles is a respiratory disease caused by a virus that can spread by coughing and sneezing. Five percent of young children develop pneumonia, which in some cases can be fatal.
Mumps is a disease of the parotid gland (located near the ear) and other organs, and is caused by a virus. Complications include encephalitis (inflammation of the brain), meningitis, deafness and painful swelling of the testes.
Rubella is a respiratory disease caused by a virus that can be spread by coughing and sneezing. The disease can cause birth defects and mental retardation in infants whose mothers are infected during pregnancy.

Tetanus, Diphtheria booster (Td)

For adults and adolescents, a combination vaccine called "Td" protects against both tetanus and diphtheria. After primary immunization against the diseases, a Td booster is recommended beginning at age 11-12 years, and continuing every ten years throughout life.

Forty to fifty cases of tetanus still occur each year, resulting in approximately 5 deaths annually in the United States.
Although diphtheria is no longer common in the United States, it remains a problem in other countries and can be spread by exposure to infected persons. One out of every 10 people who get diphtheria will die from it.

Vaccines in Short Supply

Pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV), which prevents infection of the bacterium streptococcus pneumoniae, remains in short supply and restricted use.
The supply of haemophilus influenzae type B (Hib) vaccine, which prevents childhood bacterial meningitis and infection-related mental retardation, is currently limited. Please check with your doctor regarding the availability of this vaccine.

Other vaccines that are also routinely recommended for children, adolescents and adults and have not had supply problems include hepatitis A, hepatitis B, meningococcal, polio, pneumococcal polysaccharide and influenza.

August 2002