The US recommended vaccine schedule currently advises over 72 doses of vaccines for 18 different diseases from birth to 18yrs. Some vaccines can be given in single doses, but the majority of vaccines are given in combo shots. Some doctors will give as many as eight vaccines to a child in one visit.
Disease
Routes of Transmission
Dose
Vaccine(s)
Hep B
Virus. 50% of new cases occur from sexual transmission. The virus is spread through bodily fluids, blood, saliva, semen and needles. Can also be passed at birth from an infected mother to an infant
3 doses:
Birth
1-2 months
6 months
Engerix B (Hep B)
Recombivax (Hep B)
Pediarix (DTaP, Polio, Hep B)
Twinrix (Hep A/B)
Vaxelis (DTaP, Polio-IPV, Heb B, Hib)- approved for 2021
Polio
Virus. Contagious virus considered eradicated from the US
3 doses:
2 months
4 months
6 month
“inactivated polio virus”
Kinrix (DTaP, Polio-IPV)
Pediarix (DTaP, Polio-IPV, Hep B) – polio cells are grown in monkey kidneys
Pentacel (DTaP, Polio-IPV, Hib)- polio cells are grown in culture from aborted fetuses
Pertussis, “whooping cough”, the P in DTaP
Bacteria. Contagious disease of upper respiratory system caused by bacteria. Spread by coughing and sneezing of infected individual.
5 doses:
2 months
4 months
6 months
15months
4-6 yrs
Infarix (DTaP)
Daptacel (DTaP)
Tripedia (DTaP)- contains trace levels of mercury
Kinrix (DTaP, Polio-IPV)
Pediarix (DTaP, Polio-IPV, Hep B)
Pentacel (DTaP, Polio-IPV, Hib)
Adacel (Booster, Tdap, 7 yrs and older)
Boostrix (Booster, Tdap, 7 yrs and older)
Diphtheria, the D in DTaP
Contagious bacterial disease of upper respiratory system. Spread by coughing and sneezing of sick person.
5 doses, if given in traditional DTaP, booster shot every 10 years:
2 months
4 months
6 months
15 months
4-6 yrs
Infarix (DTaP)
Daptacel (DTaP)
Tripedia (DTaP)- contains trace levels of mercury
Kinrix (DTaP, Polio-IPV)
Pediarix (DTaP, Polio-IPV, Hep B)
Pentacel (DTaP, Polio-IPV, Hib)
Adacel (Booster, Tdap, 7 yrs and older)
Boostrix (Booster, Tdap, 7 yrs and older)
DT, Td only vaccines
DT, Pediatric generic (Sanofi Pasteur)- contains trace levels of mercury, contains 25mcg of mercury in multi dose vials (1) CDC link. The online insert contradicts, does not show trace amounts of mercury, as the CDC website states.
Td/TDVAX (Td Booster, 7 yrs and older, generic by MassBiologics) contains trace levels of mercury, link
Tenivac (Td Booster, 7yrs and older)
Tetanus, the T in DTaP
Non- contagious bacterial disease. Dormant spores in soil, dust and manure. Enters body through cut and puncture wounds. Attention to adequate wound cleaning helps eliminate tetanus cases.
5 doses, if given in traditional DTaP, booster shot every 10 years:
2 months
4 months
6 months
15months
4-6 yrs
See above, Diphtheria, for tetanus related vaccines DTaP, DT, Td vaccines. Tetanus only vaccines below (CDC does not show these are licensed in the US)
TTa, primary, 7 yrs+, 3 doses, 250mcg AL and 25mcg of thimerosal (2)
TT, booster, 7 yrs+, 250mcg AL and 25mcg of thimerosal (2)
Measles, one of the M’s in MMR
Virus. A contagious virus that affects the upper respiratory system, eyes and skin.
2 doses,
12 months
4-6 yrs
*Some scientists have advocated for only combining two live viruses at a time.
“Live virus” formula.
Attenuvax (single vaccine for measles)
MMR II: a single shot that combines 3 live virus vaccines into a single shot. Attenuvax (measles), Mumpsvax (mumps) and Meruvax II (rubella).
ProQuad: combines 4 live virus vaccines into a single shot. MMR + Varavax (chickenpox)
Mumps, one of the M’s in MMR
Virus. A contagious diseases caused by a virus. Symptoms may consist of swollen salivary glands, testicles and ovaries.
2 doses,
12 months
4-6 yrs
*Some scientists have advocated for only combining two live viruses at a time.
“Live virus” formula.
Mumpsvax (single vaccine for mumps)
MMR II: a single shot that combines 3 live virus vaccines into a single shot. Attenuvax (measles), Mumpsvax (mumps) and Meruvax II (rubella).
ProQuad: combines 4 live virus vaccines into a single shot. MMR + Varavax
Different manufacturers will use different strains of mumps in the vaccines.
*Japan offers MR (a vaccine without mumps) due to raised safety issues.
Rubella, the R in MMR
A virus caused disease that commonly manifests in a rash.
2 doses,
12 months
4-6 yrs
“Live virus” formula.
Meruvax II (single vaccine for rubella)
MMR II: combines 3 live virus vaccines into a single shot. Attenuvax (measles), Mumpsvax (mumps) and Meruvax II (rubella). The 3 shots are combined for convenience, not for safety.
ProQuad: combines 4 live virus vaccines into a single shot. MMR + Varavax
Pneumococcal (PCV13)
A bacterial illness, streptococcus pneumoniae, causes meningitis, blood infections, pneumonia, and ear infections. Most likely to impact children or adults that are immune compromised
4 doses,
2 months
4 months
6 months
12months
Prevnar 13 – a solution with 13 serotypes of streptococcus pneumoniae.
Prevnar (PCV7)- contains 7 serotypes of streptococcus pneumoniae.
Haemophilus influenzae type b (hib)
A bacterial infection, spread by droplets through sneezing and coughing. The contagious potential is considered limited. Meningitis occurs in 50% of known cases.
4 doses,
2 months
4 months
6 months
12-15months
ActHib (single vaccine)
Hiberix (single vaccine)
TriHIBit (hib, DTaP)
Comvax (hib, Hep. B)
Pentacel (Hib, DTaP, Polio)
PedvaxHIB (3 dose series, 2 mo, 4mo, 12mo)
Rotavirus
A viral infection that causes common diarrhea and vomiting in children.
2-3 doses,
2 months
4 months
6 months
“Live virus” formula.
RotaTeq, “live” oral vaccine (3 dose @ 2,4,6 mo)
RotaRix “live” oral vaccine (2 dose @ 2, 4mo)
Annual Flu
A viral infection that flu symptoms.
annual shot
Recommended to babies 6 months and older, and pregnant women
Range from “live” to inactivated viruses.
Flu shots are created annually. Scientists make vaccines of prevalent strains of flu each year.
*multi- dose flu vaccines still contain thimerosal (mercury)
Varacella (chicken pox)
A viral infection that is generally considered a harmless childhood disease and once infected, will receive lifelong immunity.
2 doses,
12 months
4-6 yrs
“Live virus” formula.
Varivax
Hepatitis A
A viral infection.
2 doses,
2-dose series,
beginning at age 12 months (minimum interval: 6 months)
Twinrix (Hep A, B)
Havrix
Vaqta
Meningococcus
A bacterial infection.
2 doses,
2-dose series,
11 yrs
16yrs
HPV
A viral infection. Sexually transmitted disease.
2-3 dose series,
9-11 yrs
16yrs
Gardasil
*now recommended for boys
* taken off of Japans recommended list in 2014
*Currently not proven to prevent cancer
Click here for vaccine ingredients (externally sourced).
Sources
1) Sanfori Pasteur. “DT- Diphtheria and Tetanus Toxoid Adsorbed USP (For Pediatric Use).” December 2005.
2) Aventis Pasteur. “Tetanus Toxoid Adsorbed USP.” April 1999.
3) Sanfori Pasteur. “Tetanus Toxoid (For Booster Use Only). December 2005.
