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Immunization Station

Adacel (Tdap)

  • Number of doses: 1 dose (booster) at 11–12 years old, then every 10 years.
  • Spacing:
    • Administer at least 5 years after the last tetanus-containing vaccine.
  • Major teaching:
    • Protects against tetanus, diphtheria, and pertussis.
    • Critical for adolescents and adults to prevent pertussis transmission to infants.
    • May cause mild pain or swelling at the injection site.

Gardasil (HPV)

  • Number of doses:
    • 2 doses (6–12 months apart) for individuals starting at age 11–12 and under 15 years.
    • 3 doses (0, 1–2, and 6 months) for individuals ≥15 years or immunocompromised.
  • Spacing:
    • Ensure a minimum interval of 5 months between the first and last doses.
  • Major teaching:
    • Protects against HPV-related cancers and genital warts.
    • Most effective when given before exposure to HPV.
    • May cause fainting; observe adolescents for 15 minutes post-vaccination.

M-M-R II (Measles, Mumps, Rubella)

  • Number of doses: 2 doses (at 12–15 months and 4–6 years).
  • Spacing:
    • Minimum interval: 4 weeks between doses.
  • Major teaching:
    • Live vaccine; avoid in immunocompromised individuals or during pregnancy.
    • May cause mild fever or rash 1–2 weeks after vaccination.
    • Critical for preventing measles outbreaks.

Menquadfi (Meningococcal ACWY)

  • Number of doses: 2 doses (at 11–12 years and 16 years).
  • Spacing:
    • At least 8 weeks between doses if additional doses are required for high-risk individuals.
  • Major teaching:
    • Protects against meningococcal disease (ACWY serogroups).
    • Recommended for college students living in dormitories.
    • May cause mild soreness at the injection site.

Pentacel (DTaP-IPV/Hib)

  • Number of doses: 4 doses (at 2, 4, 6, and 15–18 months).

  • Spacing:

    • Minimum interval of 4 weeks between doses in the primary series (2, 4, and 6 months).
    • Booster dose at 15–18 months, spaced at least 6 months after the third dose.

  • Major teaching:

    • Combines protection against 5 diseases: diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis, polio, and Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib).
    • Reduces the number of injections needed at each visit.
    • Common side effects include mild fever, irritability, and injection site redness/swelling.
    • Ensure parents are aware of the importance of completing the series for full protection against these diseases.

ProQuad (MMR & Varicella)

  • Number of doses: 2 doses (at 4–6 years and earlier if needed).
  • Spacing:
    • Minimum interval of 3 months between doses.
  • Major teaching:
    • Combines MMR and Varicella for convenience.
    • Live vaccine; avoid in pregnancy or severe immunosuppression.
    • Mild rash or fever may occur.

Quadracel (DTaP-IPV)

  • Number of doses: 1 dose at 4–6 years.
  • Spacing:
    • Must be spaced at least 6 months after the previous DTaP-IPV dose.
  • Major teaching:
    • Protects against diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis, and polio.
    • Booster dose completes the series before entering school.

RotaTeq (RV5)

  • Number of doses: 3 doses (at 2, 4, and 6 months).
  • Spacing:
    • Minimum interval of 4 weeks between doses.
    • Final dose must be administered before 8 months of age.
  • Major teaching:
    • Protects against severe rotavirus gastroenteritis.
    • Oral vaccine; no injection required.
    • Common side effects include mild diarrhea or fussiness.

Trumenba (Meningococcal B)

  • Number of doses: 2 doses (0 and 6 months apart).
  • Spacing:
    • A 3-dose schedule (0, 1–2, and 6 months) may be recommended for certain high-risk groups.
  • Major teaching:
    • Protects against meningococcal B disease, which can cause rapid and severe infections.
    • Recommended for individuals 16–23 years old, especially those in high-risk settings (e.g., college campuses).

Vaqta (Hep A)

  • Number of doses: 2 doses (at 12 months and 18 months).
  • Spacing:
    • At least 6 months between doses.
  • Major teaching:
    • Protects against hepatitis A, a liver infection spread by contaminated food/water.
    • Common side effects include mild injection site soreness.

Varivax (Varicella)

  • Number of doses: 2 doses (at 12–15 months and 4–6 years).
  • Spacing:
    • Minimum interval of 3 months between doses.
  • Major teaching:
    • Live vaccine; avoid in pregnancy or severe immunosuppression.
    • Mild rash or fever may occur 1–2 weeks after vaccination.

Vaxelis (DTaP-IPV/HepB/Hib)

  • Number of doses: 3 doses (at 2, 4, and 6 months).
  • Spacing:
    • Minimum interval of 4 weeks between doses.
  • Major teaching:
    • Protects against six diseases (diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis, polio, hepatitis B, and Haemophilus influenzae type b).
    • May cause mild fever, soreness, or swelling at the injection site.

Vaxneuvance (PCV15)

  • Number of doses: 4 doses (at 2, 4, 6, and 15 months).
  • Spacing:
    • Minimum interval of 4 weeks between primary doses.
    • Booster dose recommended at least 8 weeks after the 3rd dose.
  • Major teaching:
    • Protects against 15 serotypes of Streptococcus pneumoniae, which can cause pneumonia, meningitis, and bacteremia.
    • May cause mild fever or irritability post-vaccination.

Flu Vaccine

FluMist (Live Attenuated Influenza Vaccine - LAIV4)

  • Type: Live attenuated vaccine administered intranasally.
  • Age indications: Approved for healthy individuals aged 2–49 years.
  • Effectiveness: Comparable to the flu shot in most years but may vary depending on the season and strains.
  • Contraindications:
    • Children <2 years or adults ≥50 years.
    • Pregnant individuals.
    • Immunocompromised individuals or close contacts of severely immunocompromised individuals (e.g., bone marrow transplant patients in protective isolation).
    • Children 2–4 years with asthma or wheezing in the past 12 months.
    • Severe allergy to any FluMist component.
  • Major teaching:
    • Avoid in individuals taking aspirin or salicylate-containing medications due to the risk of Reye's syndrome.
    • Mild side effects include runny nose, sore throat, or headache.

Flu Shot (Inactivated Influenza Vaccine - IIV4)

  • Type: Inactivated vaccine administered via intramuscular injection.
  • Age indications: Approved for individuals 6 months and older, including pregnant individuals and those with chronic health conditions.
  • Effectiveness: Provides broad protection against circulating influenza strains; updated yearly to match predicted strains.
  • Contraindications:
    • Severe allergy to any flu shot component, including egg protein (though egg-free formulations are available).
  • Major teaching:
    • Common side effects include mild soreness or swelling at the injection site, low-grade fever, or fatigue.
    • Safe for individuals with chronic medical conditions or weakened immune systems.
    • For children <9 years receiving the flu vaccine for the first time, 2 doses are required at least 4 weeks apart.

Key Differences:

Aspect FluMist (Nasal Spray) Flu Shot (Injection)
Type of Vaccine Live attenuated Inactivated
Route of Administration Nasal spray Intramuscular injection
Age Range 2–49 years 6 months and older
Pregnancy Safe? No Yes
Immunocompromised Use? No Yes
Common Side Effects Runny nose, sore throat, headache Soreness, redness, low-grade fever

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