Types of vaccines for diseases

Chickenpox, also called "varicella," is a viral infection that causes an itchy rash which looks like water blisters. Most people recover without lasting effects but some people may develop complications. For example, if the blisters become infected, there may be scarring. The chickenpox (varicella) vaccine is provided for different age groups.

• Read about chickenpox and varicella vaccine – November 2008
• Read about the combined MMR-Varicella vaccine – August 2010

These diseases can kill or disable large numbers of children. The vaccine for these five diseases are very effective and are usually combined in one needle.

• Read about these diseases and their vaccines

Hepatitis B is a virus that affects the liver. It can cause permanent liver damage. Under the Alberta Immunization Program, Hepatitis B vaccine is provided in a series for Grade five students.

• Hepatitis B vaccine – 2008
• Read more on hepatitis

Human Papillomavirus (HPV) is a very common infection and is passed through sexual contact. It is estimated that over 70 per cent of people will have at least one genital HPV infection in their lifetime. Certain types of HPV infection cause almost all cases of cervical cancer.

The HPV vaccine is most effective when given to girls before they begin any sexual activity and risk exposure to HPV.

• Read about HPV immunization and common questions about HPV

Influenza, commonly called the flu, is an infection of the throat, nose and lungs caused by a virus. As with other viral illnesses, antibiotics do not help to get rid of influenza disease. The disease is mild in some people but other people can become very ill. One of the best ways to prevent influenza is to get influenza immunization every year.

• Influenza vaccine
• Common questions about seasonal influenza immunization – 2010
• Read more on influenza and influenza self-care
• Read more at Alberta Health Services

Measles, mumps, and rubella are serious diseases that may cause complications such as vision or hearing loss, mental disabilities or heart defects. The Alberta Immunization program has been effective in dramatically reducing the number of outbreaks in Alberta. However these diseases are still common in other parts of the world and may return to Canada if high vaccine coverage rates are not maintained. The vaccines for these three diseases are usually combined in one needle given twice in childhood.

• MMR and MMR vaccine – March 2004

Children between the ages of one year up to and including 12 years of age who need both MMR and varicella vaccines during the same clinic visit should receive MMR-Var vaccine. The second dose of MMR is offered to children between 4–6 years of age.

• Read about the combined MMR and Varicella vaccine – 2010

Meningococcal bacteria can cause two serious diseases, meningococcal meningitis (an inflammation or infection of the covering of the brain and spinal cord) or meningococcemia (a more serious infection of the blood and many parts of the body). A vaccine to prevent the most common strains of meningococcal bacteria is provided to infants and to adolescents in Grade 9.

• Meningococcal Conjugate vaccine – 2011 

Pneumococcal disease is caused by pneumococcal bacteria, of which there are 90 strains. Streptococcus Pneumoniae is a leading cause of invasive bacterial infections in infants and children such as meningitis, serious blood infections and pneumonia. A vaccine provided through the Alberta Immunization program helps protect against the most common strains and will prevent 80–85 per cent of invasive pneumococcal disease.

• Pneumococcal vaccine for children – 2010