What do vaccines protect you from?

Diphtheria (the "D" in DTaP)

Tetanus (the "T" in DTaP)

• Also called Lock Jaw, Tetanus causes serious, painful spasms of all muscles and can lead to "locking of the jaw,"so the patient cannot open mouth or swallow
• It can lead to death
• It can be prevented by having the DTaP vaccine

Pertussis (the "aP" in DTaP)
Also called Whooping Cough, Pertussis can lead to pneumonia, seizures, brain damage or death
It can be prevented by having the DTaP vaccine

Polio
Causes fever, sore throat, nausea, headache, diarrhea, stomachache, stiffness in the neck, back and legs
It can lead to breathing difficulty, paralysis or death
It can be prevented by having the polio vaccine (IPV)

Measles (the first "M" in MMR)
Causes rash, cough and fever
It can lead to diarrhea, ear infection, pneumonia, brain damage or death
It can be prevented by having the MMR vaccine

Mumps (the second "M" in MMR)
Causes fever, headache and swollen glands under the jaw
It can lead to hearing loss, painful, swollen testicles, meningitis (an infection of the brain & spinal cord)
It can be prevented by having the MMR vaccine

Rubella (the "R'' in MMR)
Also called German Measles, Rubella causes rash, mild fever, swollen glands, arthritis
Babies could die during pregnancy
Babies could be born deaf, blind, with brain damage, heart disease or other serious problems
It can be prevented by having the MMR vaccine

Haemophilus Influenza Type B (Hib)
Causes meningitis, pneumonia and other infections
It can lead to ear infections, croup, permanent brain damage or death
It can be prevented by having the Hib vaccine

Hepatitis B (HBV)
Causes a life long contagious infection & chronic illness
It can lead to chronic liver disease or cancer
It can be prevented by having the HBV vaccine

Varicella (V)
Also called Chicken Pox, Varicella causes fever, itchy blisters and more serious illness
It can be complicated by bacterial infections of the skin and lungs, causing brain damage & death
It can be prevented by having the Varicella vaccine

Pneumococcal (PCV-7)
A serious disease among children
It can cause ear infections, meningitis or death
It can be prevented by having the PVC-7 vaccine

Hepatitis A
Causes fever, tiredness, loss of appetite, nausea, abdominal discomfort, and jaundice
A person who has hepatitis A can easily pass the disease to others within the same household
It can be prevented by having the HAV vaccine

Rotavirus (Rotateq)
Rotavirus is the most common cause of severe diarrhea among children
Annually causes 55,000 U.S. children to be hospitalized and 600,000 children die worldwide
It can be prevented by having the Rotateq vaccine

Human Papillomavirus- HPV (Gardasill)
HPV infection is the most common Sexually Transmitted Infection in the U.S.
It can cause cervical cancer and other diseases in females
It can be prevented by having the Gardasil vaccine

Meningococcal (Menactra or Menomune)
Causes infection of the fluid of a person's spinal cord or fluid that surrounds the brain
It can lead to high fever, headache, stiff neck, death
It can be prevented by having the MCV4 or MPSV4 vaccine

What vacciens do children need?

Your child may be eligible for free vaccines. If you are not sure if your child is covered under the Vaccine for Children program, or you would like to make an appointment, call the Cerro Gordo County Department of Public Health at (641) 421-9321.  

Page updated 2/08

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If we can assist you in any way, please contact our Disease Prevention staff at (641) 421-9321.