If you’ve just seen your little one’s first year vaccine schedule, you might want to know more about what exactly those vaccines will protect against. Because vaccines have been such a powerful tool to eradicate, lessen, and prevent some major illnesses, many of which haven’t been around for a generation, it can be hard to know just how serious they are. Here are some common vaccines administered in childhood and the diseases they protect against:
The DTaP vaccine protects against Diphtheria, Tetanus, and acellular Pertussis (whooping cough). These diseases are all spread by bacteria. Diphtheria causes a sore throat, fever, weakness, and swollen glands and can lead to serious heart complications. Tetanus causes fever, muscle spasms and stiffness, and can lead to broken bones and serious breathing complications. Pertussis, or whooping cough, causes severe extended coughing spells, trouble breathing, and can lead to pneumonia (lung infection) and other serious complications. Serious cases of any of these diseases can result in death.
The HepA vaccine protects against Hepatitis A. Hepatitis A is a liver disease that is spread through personal contact or contaminated water or food. There may be symptoms like fever, weakness, and vomiting, or no symptoms. Hepatitis A can cause liver, kidney, or pancreas problems, joint pain, or blood disorders.
The HepB vaccine protects against Hepatitis B. Hepatitis B is a different form of liver disease spread through blood or body fluids. Much like Hepatitis A, there may be symptoms like fever, weakness, and vomiting, or no symptoms at all for years. It is a very tough virus that can survive on surfaces for up to a week. Many people, including children, who end up with Hep B do not know when or how they contracted the virus. Hepatitis B can cause jaundice, severe stomach pains, liver failure and death.
The influenza vaccine protects against the flu. Flu usually spreads around the U.S. during the colder months through coughing, sneezing, and close contact. Common symptoms of the flu include fever, aches, fatigue, cough, and sore throat. Serious cases can lead to pneumonia.
The respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) antibody shot is recommended for infants under 8 months of age under certain conditions. RSV spreads more easily in the fall and winter months and symptoms include fever, cough, runny nose, wheezing, amongst others. As RSV causes more complications in infants, babies born in October through March whose birthing parent was not immunized against RSV in pregnancy, or immunized less than 14 days before the birth, should receive the shot within the first week of birth. Older babies can also receive it for up to 6 months. Outside those winter months, your state may have different recommendations on whether your baby should be immunized based on the severity of RSV in your area so it’ll be important to speak with your baby’s pediatrician about their recommendations.
The Hib vaccine protects against Haemophilus influenzae type B. The germs of this disease are spread from direct contact and through the air, and if the bacteria enters the bloodstream or lungs can cause bacterial meningitis (infection in the brain and spinal cord), intellectual disability, breathing problems, pneumonia, and acute infections. Serious cases can result in death.
The Inactivated poliovirus, or IPV, vaccine helps protect against polio. This disease is spread through air, direct contact, or through the mouth. While initially polio may cause no symptoms or mild symptoms — like fever, nausea, or sore throat — if left untreated, it can lead to crippling paralysis or death.
The MMR vaccine protects against Measles, Mumps, and Rubella. These diseases are spread through air or direct contact. Measles can cause fever, rash, and cough. Serious cases can lead to encephalitis (brain swelling), pneumonia, and death. Mumps can cause fever, swollen glands, and aches. Serious cases can lead to meningitis, encephalitis, and deafness. And rubella can cause rash, fever, and swollen lymph nodes. It can be very serious in pregnant women, and can lead to miscarriage, premature delivery, stillbirth, or birth defects.
The Pneumococcal conjugate (PCV15 or 20) protects against pneumococcal disease. While this bacterial disease doesn’t always show symptoms, it can lead to pneumonia, blood infection, and meningitis. Serious cases can lead to death.
Rotavirus (RV). Spread through the mouth, rotavirus can cause severe diarrhea and dehydration. It can spread within families and cause uncontrollable diarrhea, even in adults.
The VAR vaccine protects against Varicella, or chickenpox. Chickenpox is spread through direct contact and causes rash and fevers. Serious cases can lead to permanent scarring, bleeding disorders, pneumonia, or encephalitis.
Vaccines are one of the most powerful tools of preventative medicine to help keep Baby safe and protected against serious disease and illness.
Reviewed by the Ovia Health by Labcorp Clinical Team
A note on vaccines
Ovia Health by Labcorp is committed to providing evidence-based guidance and supporting families with trusted health information. Recent shifts and changes to vaccination recommendations and schedules for pregnant women, children, and infants have raised questions about the safety and efficacy. We continue to follow the guidance of leading medical organizations including the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, the Society for Maternal-Fetal Medicine, the American Academy of Pediatrics, and the American Academy of Family Physicians about vaccination safety and continued use. Your healthcare provider is best positioned to advise you on vaccination safety for pregnant women, infants, children, and the broader public.
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Sources
- “Q&A on vaccines.” World Health Organization. World Health Organization, August 26 2019. Retrieved January 3 2020. https://www.who.int/vaccines/questions-and-answers.
- “Recommended Child and Adolescent Immunization Schedule.” healthychildren.org. American Academy of Pediatrics. 2025 https://downloads.aap.org/AAP/PDF/AAP-Immunization-Schedule.pdf
