Top 12 Vaccines You Should Know About

1. Hepatitis B Vaccine

Hepatitis B is a viral disease that causes liver inflammation and damage. Over time, chronic hepatitis B infection can cause cirrhosis, liver failure, and liver cancer.1

In the United States, 1.25 million people are chronically infected with HBV, of whom 36% are infected during childhood. Up to 25% of those infected as infants will die as a result of liver disease in later years—which is why it is important to prevent infection by vaccinating at birth.1

There are three HBV vaccines licensed for use in the United States, each of which is delivered by intramuscular injection (IM).2

2. Diphtheria, Tetanus, Acellular Pertussis (DTaP)

DTaP vaccine is a combination vaccine that protects against three different bacterial diseases:3

• Pertussis (“whooping cough”) is a highly contagious bacteria that causes respiratory illness lasting two or more weeks, typically with a cough that sounds like a whoop. Pertussis in infants can lead to pneumonia, seizures, brain damage, and death.
• Diphtheria is a bacteria that causes sore throat, fever, swollen lymph nodes, and weakness. In some cases, diphtheria can lead to organ damage due to toxins produced by the bacteria.
• Tetanus, also known as lockjaw, causes muscular contractions that it make difficult to open the mouth, swallow, and breathe. Around 11% of tetanus cases are fatal.4

There are two DTaP vaccines approved for use in the United States.2