Twinrix

This is a vaccine that combines the Hepatitis A and Hepatitis B vaccines. The benefit of this vaccine is that your receive protection against both Hep A and Hep B with 3 shots, rather than 5 separate shots.

 

Three doses are given at 0, 1, and 6 months and confer lifelong protection.

 

 

Yellow Fever

An often life threatening viral disease, it is spread by mosquitoes in the Amazon basin of South America and sub- Saharan Africa. Proof of yellow fever vaccination may be required for entry into certain countries and for persons who have traveled through yellow fever endemic countries.

 

One dose is given and becomes effective in about 10 days and protects for 10 years.

 

Menactra

Menactra, licensed in 2005, is given to persons 11-54 years of age. It is estimated to have a 10 year protection. Menomune is given to persons younger than 11 and 55 years of older. Both protect against 4 serotypes of the meningitis bacteria- A/C/Y/W-135.

 

HPV Vaccine (Gardasil) (Human Papillomavirus Quadrivalent Vaccine, Recombinant)

Gardasil is an inactivated vaccine to prevent cervical cancer and genital warts caused by 4 types of HPV. It is currently recommended only for girls and women 9 to 26 years old. Cervical cancer is the 2nd leading cause of cancer deaths among women in the world. 50% of sexually active men and women are infected with HPV at sometime in their lives.

 

Three doses are given at 0, 2, and 6 months. The duration of protection is expected to be long lasting

 

Shingles (Herpes Zoster)

Shingles is an outbreak of blisters and rash that affects just one side of the body, and usually causes very intense pain. It is caused by a reactivation of the dormant virus in the nerves of people who have previously had chicken pox. Anyone who has had chicken pox is at risk for shingles, but risk increases with age, and chronic conditions that suppress the immune system. A shingles vaccine (Zostavax by Merck) was licensed in 2006 for the prevention of shingles in persons over 60 years of age.

 

The shingles vaccine is just one shot. The duration of immunity is unknown at this time.