MMR
Measles, Mumps & Rubella
Live attenuated vaccine. Two-dose series at 12–15 months and 4–6 years. Covers M-M-R® II and PRIORIX.
Hepatitis B
HepB — 3-dose series starting at birth
Recombinant vaccine. Covers Engerix-B®, Recombivax HB®, Heplisav-B®, and PreHevbrio®.
HPV
Human Papillomavirus — 2 or 3 doses ages 9+
Virus-like particle vaccine. Covers Gardasil® 9 (9-valent) and historical products. First anti-cancer vaccine.
DTaP / Tdap
Diphtheria, Tetanus & Pertussis
5-dose infant DTaP series + adolescent Tdap booster. Maternal Tdap during pregnancy.
Hib
Haemophilus influenzae type b
Conjugate vaccine. 2–3 dose primary series + booster. >99% reduction in invasive Hib disease.
Polio (IPV)
Inactivated Poliovirus Vaccine
4-dose series. U.S. switched from OPV to IPV in 2000 to eliminate vaccine-associated paralytic polio risk.
PCV (Pneumococcal)
Pneumococcal Conjugate — PCV13/15/20
4-dose series. PCV7 pivotal trial (N=38,000) was one of the largest pediatric vaccine trials.
Rotavirus
Live attenuated oral vaccine
2–3 dose series. Pivotal trials among the largest ever (~130,000 infants). Small intussusception risk identified post-licensure.
Varicella
Chickenpox — 2-dose series
Live attenuated vaccine. Standalone (Varivax®) or MMRV combination (ProQuad®). MMRV has elevated febrile seizure risk vs. separate administration.
Hepatitis A
HepA — 2-dose series starting at 12 months
Inactivated whole-virus vaccine. One of the least reactogenic vaccines on the pediatric schedule.
Meningococcal
MenACWY & MenB — Adolescent
MenACWY (2 doses, universal) + MenB (shared decision-making). Licensed via immunogenicity, not clinical efficacy.
Influenza
Seasonal Flu — Annual vaccination
Reformulated annually. IIV (injection) and LAIV (intranasal). Variable effectiveness (10–60%). 1976 GBS signal historical context.
COVID-19
SARS-CoV-2 — mRNA & protein subunit
Largest safety database in history (675M+ U.S. doses). Myocarditis signal in adolescent males. Updated formulations for variants.
Shingles (Shingrix)
Zoster — 2-dose recombinant
Trial reactogenicity + VAERS lot data. High search volume anchor spoke.
RSV
Arexvy, Abrysvo, Beyfortus
2023–2024 preventives — VAERS lots and pivotal trial safety tables.
Vaccines relevant to adult travelers and occupational/risk-based exposure, beyond the routine childhood schedule. Recommendations are highly destination- and activity-dependent — consult a travel medicine clinic or your national travel-health authority (e.g. CDC Travelers' Health, UK NaTHNaC) before international travel.
Yellow Fever
YF-VAX® / Stamaril® — live attenuated
Single dose, lifelong protection for most. Often required by International Health Regulations for entry to endemic African/South American countries.
Typhoid
Typhim Vi® / Vivotif® / conjugate (TCV)
Injectable (ViCPS) or oral (Ty21a) for travelers; newer conjugate vaccine (TCV) used in South Asian/African national programs.
Japanese Encephalitis
IXIARO® — inactivated, Vero cell
For travelers spending extended time in rural Asia-Pacific during transmission season. Leading vaccine-preventable cause of encephalitis in Asia.
Rabies
Imovax Rabies® / RabAvert®
Pre-exposure for travelers/animal handlers; post-exposure prophylaxis is essentially 100% effective when given promptly with immune globulin.
Cholera
Vaxchora® / Dukoral® / Shanchol®
Single-dose oral option (Vaxchora) for U.S. travelers; killed whole-cell vaccines used globally in outbreak response campaigns.
Meningococcal (Travel)
MenACWY — "meningitis belt" & pilgrimage travel
Recommended for travel to the African meningitis belt; required by Saudi Arabia for Hajj/Umrah pilgrims.
Hepatitis A (Travel)
One of the most common travel-acquired vaccine-preventable infections
Recommended for unvaccinated adult travelers to regions with limited food/water safety infrastructure.
Hepatitis B (Travel)
For potential blood/body-fluid exposure abroad
Recommended for healthcare workers, long-term stays, and travelers with anticipated medical or intimate-contact exposure risk.
Influenza (Travel)
Especially relevant for cruise travel & opposite-hemisphere flu season
Consider vaccination before travel during the destination's flu season, particularly on cruises and group tours.
COVID-19 (Travel)
Consider before travel to areas with limited healthcare access
An updated booster before departure is worth considering for high-risk travelers or extended international trips.