Vaccines

Chickenpox is a disease that causes itchy blisters that can cover the entire body. Kids with chickenpox can be very uncomfortable and some kids get hundreds of blisters. While chickenpox can be mild, there’s no way to know who will have a serious case. The chickenpox vaccine protects children from this disease without the risk of serious complications.

Learn more on the CDC’s chickenpox page or DSHS Vaccine Preventable Disease Conditions | Varicella (Chickenpox).

COVID-19 is a viral respiratory illness spread from person to person that causes symptoms such as fever, fatigue, shortness of breath, and cough. In serious cases, it can lead to respiratory failure, hospitalization, and death. There are many risk factors for severe COVID-19, including obesity, pregnancy, and certain chronic lung diseases. COVID-19 can be prevented by several prevention methods such as staying home from school and work when ill.

The General Appropriations Act, House Bill 1 (H.B. 1), Article II, Rider 40, is effective September 1, 2023. Rider 40 prohibits the Department of State Health Services (DSHS) from using appropriated funds to promote or advertise COVID-19 vaccinations.

Learn more:

• DSHS Immunizations | COVID-19 Rider 40
• CDC's COVID page.

Diphtheria starts with a sore throat, fever and chills, followed by a thick white or grey coating in the back of the throat. Which makes it hard to breathe or swallow. For some people, this coating can become so thick that they have difficulty breathing, which can lead to death. The diphtheria vaccine gives children protection without the risk of serious complications.

Learn more on the CDC’s diphtheria page or DSHS Vaccine Preventable Disease Conditions | Diphtheria.

Influenza (flu) is caused by viruses that can come in multiple strains. It can cause fever, cough, sore throat, and body aches, though in serious cases, the flu can lead to pneumonia, hospitalization, and/or death. Certain people such as young children and older adults are at risk for more serious infection. The flu is a seasonal illness that typically occurs around fall and winter. Getting annual flu vaccinations, washing your hands, and maintaining proper hygiene can protect against the flu.

Learn more on the CDC's Flu page.

DSHS Immunizations | TVFC Flu Statistics and Resources 

Hepatitis A is a serious liver disease. Children under 6 years old often don’t have symptoms but can pass the disease to others, including unvaccinated older siblings or adults, who can get very sick. There is no specific treatment, but the hepatitis A vaccine gives children protection without the risk of serious complications of the disease. Symptoms can last for up to six months.

Hepatitis B is a liver disease that can cause short-term or lifelong infection. Some people who get it have a mild illness with few or no symptoms and others require hospitalization. Infants and young children often don’t have symptoms. They can pass hepatitis B to others, including unvaccinated older siblings or adults, who can get very sick. There is no cure, but the hepatitis B vaccine gives children protection without the risk of serious complications of the disease. Symptoms usually appear three or four months after infection.

Learn more on the CDC’s hepatitis B page or the DSHS hepatitis B page.

The ACIP recommends all pregnant women be screened for Perinatal Hepatitis B.

The Texas Department of State Health Services hosts a biennial conference about Perinatal Hepatitis B Prevention Program (PHBPP). 

The safety of all Texas children is imperative; infants infected with Perinatal Hepatitis B have an increased risk of chronic kidney disease. The PNHPP documents statistics and data on infants infected with Perinatal Hepatitis B. 

Hib is a serious illness caused by a bacteria called Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib). The most common type of Hib is meningitis, an infection of the lining of the brain and spinal cord. Babies and children younger than 5 years are most at risk. Even with treatment, an unvaccinated child with Hib can have brain damage, deafness, or even die. Symptoms will vary and depend on the part of the body that is affected.

Learn more on the CDC’s Hib page or DSHS Haemophilus Influenzae (Including Hib).

Human Papillomavirus (HPV) is the most common sexually transmitted disease in the U.S. with more than 150 types. Most people will have HPV at some point in their lives. Some types can cause health problems including genital warts and certain cancers. HPV and its associated cancers can be prevented with getting vaccinated against HPV, getting screened for cervical cancer, and taking precautions if you are sexually active.

Learn more on the CDC's HPV page.

Measles is a serious respiratory disease that affects the lungs and breathing. It can be dangerous, especially for babies and young children. Most people who have not had the vaccine will get measles if exposed to the virus. There is no specific treatment, but the MMR vaccine gives children protection without the risk of serious complications of the disease.

Learn more on the CDC’s measles page or DSHS Vaccine Preventable Disease Conditions | Measles (Rubeola).

Meningococcal Disease is caused by the bacterium Neisseria meningitidis. It can lead to meningitis (infection of the membranes covering the brain and spinal cord) and septicemia (blood infection). Complications of meningococcal invasive disease can result in permanent hearing loss, brain damage, loss of limbs, and death. Vaccines are available to prevent certain strains of meningococcal disease.

Learn more on the CDC’s meningococcal disease page or DSHS Vaccine Preventable Disease Conditions | Meningococcal Invasive Disease.

Mumps is a viral illness that causes puffy cheeks. In most people, mumps is mild, but in some cases it can cause long-lasting health problems and even death. There is no treatment for mumps, but the MMR vaccine gives children protection without the risk of serious complications of the disease.

Learn more on the CDC’s mumps page or DSHS Vaccine Preventable Disease Conditions | Mumps.

Mpox is an emerging disease that is caused by direct, close skin-to skin contact with a person infected with mpox. Symptoms can include fever, head and muscle aches, and swollen lymph nodes followed by a rash. Mpox can lead to severe complications such as secondary infections and hospitalization. A vaccine to protect against mpox is available for those at higher risk, and avoiding direct contact with cases or objects used by an infected person is also recommended.

Learn more on the CDC's Mpox page.

Pneumococcal illnesses are caused by bacteria. They can affect the ears, lungs, blood and brain. Symptoms are often mild, but in some cases can lead to lifelong disabilities or even death. Children younger than 2 years are at higher risk for these infections. Pneumococcal disease has become resistant to treatments, so prevention through vaccination gives children the best protection without the risk of serious complications of the disease. Symptoms depend on what body part is affected.

Learn more on the CDC’s pneumococcal page or DSHS Immunizations | Pneumococcal Disease.

Polio is a serious disease that attacks the nervous system and can lead to lifelong paralysis or death. There is no cure or specific treatment, so prevention through vaccination gives children the best protection without the risk of serious complications of the disease.

Learn more on the CDC’s polio page.

Rabies is a virus that is transmitted by wildlife or unvaccinated domesticated animals that affects the central nervous system. While it should be noted that not all animals have rabies, any suspected case of rabies should be taken seriously and immediate precautions should be taken. Proper rabies treatment if exposed and vaccinating domesticated animals can prevent the disease.

Learn more 

• CDC's Rabies
• DSHS Immunizations | Rabies Biologicals 

Rotavirus mostly affects babies and young children, causing severe diarrhea and vomiting. More severe cases can lead to serious dehydration. There is no cure for rotavirus, so prevention through vaccination gives children the best protection without the risk of serious complications of the disease. The rotavirus vaccine is given through drops in the mouth, not by a shot.

Learn more on the CDC’s rotavirus page.

Respiratory Syncytial virus (RSV) is a respiratory illness, that while mild for most people, can cause severe illness in infants, toddlers, and adults aged 60 years and older. Almost all children will have had an RSV infection by their second birthday. Symptoms can be different between children younger than 2 and those older, but it typically presents with symptoms similar to other respiratory infections. It can spread through coughing and sneezing or touching contaminated services. RSV can be prevented by new immunization products for infants, pregnant women, and adults aged 60 and older, staying home from work and school when ill, and following good hand hygiene, and covering sneezing and coughs. 

Learn more on the CDC's RSV page.

Rubella, often called German measles, is a viral disease that is usually mild in children. Complications occur more often in adults. Women who plan to become pregnant should get the MMR vaccine. Infection during pregnancy can cause miscarriage or birth defects including deafness, blindness, intellectual disability, heart defects and liver or spleen damage. The MMR vaccine is the best way to give children and those around them protection from rubella without the risk of serious complications of the disease.

Learn more on the CDC’s rubella page or DSHS Vaccine Preventable Disease Conditions | Rubella (German Measles).

Tetanus is a serious disease caused by bacteria that live in soil, dust and manure. Also known as “lockjaw,” tetanus causes painful muscle contractions, often starting in the jaw and neck, that can make it hard to open the mouth or swallow. Tetanus can lead to death. The DTaP vaccine is the best way to give children protection from tetanus without the risk of serious complications of the disease.

Learn more on the CDC’s tetanus page or DSHS Vaccine Preventable Disease Conditions | Tetanus.

Pertussis, also known as whooping cough, is a serious respiratory illness that can cause violent coughing fits. Gasping for breath after a coughing fit can sometimes cause a “whooping” sound, but not all children make this noise. These coughing fits can last 10 weeks or longer and they can return the next time the child has a respiratory illness. Babies can easily catch whooping cough from family members who don’t know they have it. Half of all whooping cough deaths are among babies less than 2 months old, who are too young to get vaccinated. By getting the DTaP vaccine, pregnant women can pass temporary protection to their babies. Once babies are old enough to be vaccinated, the DTaP vaccine is the best way to give them protection from whooping cough without the risk of serious complications of the disease.

Learn more on the CDC’s whooping cough page or DSHS Vaccine Preventable Disease Conditions | Pertussis (Whooping Cough).

Yellow Fever is an viral illness transmitted to humans by the bites of certain species of mosquitoes in parts of Africa and Central America. Symptoms such as fever, chills, and headache typically develop 3-6 days after infection. While many people may have mild symptoms, 12% of people will develop serious illness. Yellow fever can be prevented by getting vaccinated or preventing mosquito bites when traveling to areas where yellow fever occurs. To check if a yellow fever vaccine is recommended or required for your travel location, see CDC’s website on Traveler’s Health located here: Yellow Fever | Disease Directory | Travelers' Health | CDC

Learn more on the CDC's yellow fever page.