Prevention

Scientists are seeking better ways to protect us from disease. Among the newest tools are mRNA vaccines. They give us a new way to help your body defend itself against germs. Here's how they work.

While you should receive a COVID-19 vaccine as soon as it is available to you, you may have questions. Here are some common questions. © TWN

General Gus Perna, Chief Operating Officer for Operation Warp Speed, explains the five key tenets behind the successful operation to rapidly develop, produce and distribute a safe and effective COVID-19 vaccine to the American people.

What happens after you get a COVID-19 vaccine injection? Here's what you need to know.

This document answers common questions about the approved Pfizer, Moderna, and Janssen (Johnson and Johnson) COVID-19 vaccine. © VA Long Beach

The COVID-19 vaccination will help protect you from getting COVID-19. You may have some side effects, which are normal signs that your body is building protection. These side effects may feel like flu and may even affect your ability to do daily activities, but they should go away in a few days. © CDC

Veterans regardless of age & enrollment status, their spouses, caregivers and some beneficiaries are eligible to receive their COVID-19 vaccine at VA Long Beach. MUST be at least 18 years old. © VA Long Beach

Some of the COVID-19 vaccines are mRNA vaccines. This video will show you what an mRNA vaccine is and how it works.

Each winter, millions of people suffer from influenza—the flu. The flu virus infects the nose, throat, and lungs, and spreads from person to person through coughs and sneezes. The video explains why a flu shot is important to help prevent this illness, which can be life-threatening in older adults.

Watch this video to learn about COVID-19 booster shots, including CDC recommendations, common side effects, and how you can schedule your booster.

Watch this video to learn about the two types of tests used to diagnose COVID-19 PCR and Rapid tests.

Understand what a vaccine is and how it works to protect you, as well as those around you, from the germs that are all around us.

Watch this video to learn about RSV and the importance of getting the vaccine if you're age 60 or older.

Watch this to understand the importance of staying up-to-date on your vaccinations, including boosters.

Watch this video for tips to prepare for a vaccine and what to expect after you get vaccinated.

Watch this to understand the importance of receiving immunization boosters as recommended.

Understand that there are disease causing germs all around us, but you can be protected from many of them by being vaccinated. Also, learn how a vaccine works in the body and recognize the importance of staying up to date with all of your vaccines.

Learn how pneumococcal bacteria spread and the different types of illnesses an infection can cause. Also, understand that the best way to be protected is to be vaccinated and that most people need two vaccines to fully prevent all types of the disease.

Learn that Tdap stands for tetanus, diphtheria, and pertussis and how each may be contracted and affect the body. Understand that vaccination is best for staying protected and that you may receive a Td booster for tetanus and diphtheria every ten years.

Learn that Td stands for tetanus and diphtheria and how each may enter and affect the body. Understand that the best way to continually protect yourself from both tetanus and diphtheria is to get the booster every 10 years.

Learn the cause of shingles and how it affects the body. Understand who should and should not receive this vaccine, its effectiveness, and that the best way to prevent shingles is to be vaccinated.

Watch this clip to learn how hepatitis B spreads and the health problems it can cause. Also, understand that everyone is at risk for hepatitis B; however, some are at greater risk, and that the best way to protect yourself against it is to be vaccinated.

There are 2 pneumococcal vaccinations that protect people against pneumococcal disease.

Here is a schedule based on the CDC National Immunization Program recommendations for adults.

Shingles is also called herpes zoster. It's a painful skin rash caused by the herpes zoster virus. This is the same virus that causes chickenpox.

Information on vaccines can change quickly. Use this link to get the latest vaccine information from the CDC.

A vaccine for COVID-19 is now available. Here's what you need to know about it.

A viral vector vaccine for COVID-19 is available. Read on for details about it.

Dengue vaccine can help protect against dengue in people who have had dengue in the past. Dengue is caused by one of four viruses spread through the bite of an infected mosquito.

DTaP vaccine can prevent diphtheria, tetanus, and pertussis. Diphtheria and pertussis spread from person to person. Tetanus enters the body through cuts or wounds.

Hepatitis A vaccine can prevent hepatitis A. Hepatitis A is a serious liver disease.

Hepatitis B vaccine can prevent hepatitis B. Hepatitis B is a liver disease that can cause mild illness lasting a few weeks, or it can lead to a serious, lifelong illness.

Hib vaccine can prevent Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib) disease. Haemophilus influenzae type b can cause many different kinds of infections. These infections usually affect children under 5 years of age but can also affect adults with certain medical conditions.

HPV (human papillomavirus) vaccine can prevent infection with some types of human papillomavirus. HPV infections can cause certain types of cancers.

Influenza vaccine can prevent influenza (flu). Flu is a contagious disease that spreads around the United States every year, usually between October and May.

Influenza vaccine can prevent influenza (flu). Flu is a contagious disease that spreads around the United States every year, usually between October and May.

Meningococcal ACWY vaccine can help protect against meningococcal disease caused by serogroups A, C, W, and Y. A different meningococcal vaccine is available that can help protect against serogroup B.

Meningococcal B vaccine can help protect against meningococcal disease caused by serogroup B. A different meningococcal vaccine is available that can help protect against serogroups A, C, W, and Y.

MMR vaccine can prevent measles, mumps, and rubella.

MMRV vaccine can prevent measles, mumps, rubella, and varicella.

Pneumococcal conjugate vaccine can prevent pneumococcal disease. Pneumococcal disease refers to any illness caused by pneumococcal bacteria. These bacteria can cause many types of illnesses, including pneumonia, which is an infection of the lungs.

Polio vaccine can prevent polio. Polio (or poliomyelitis) is a disabling and life-threatening disease caused by poliovirus, which can infect a person's spinal cord, leading to paralysis.

Pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccine (PPSV23) can prevent pneumococcal disease. Pneumococcal disease refers to any illness caused by pneumococcal bacteria. These bacteria can cause many types of illnesses, including pneumonia, which is an infection of the lungs.

Recombinant zoster (shingles) vaccine can prevent shingles. Shingles (also called herpes zoster, or just zoster) is a painful skin rash, usually with blisters.

Rotavirus vaccine can prevent rotavirus disease. Rotavirus commonly causes severe, watery diarrhea, mostly in babies and young children.

Td vaccine can prevent tetanus and diphtheria. Tetanus enters the body through cuts or wounds. Diphtheria spreads from person to person.

Tdap vaccine can prevent tetanus, diphtheria, and pertussis. Diphtheria and pertussis spread from person to person. Tetanus enters the body through cuts or wounds.

Varicella vaccine can prevent varicella. Varicella, also called “chickenpox,” causes an itchy rash that usually lasts about a week. It can also cause fever, tiredness, loss of appetite, and headache.

A tetanus shot is given to protect you from an infection with the tetanus bacteria. If you have never had a tetanus vaccination, 3 shots are needed to fully protect you.

Adenoviruses can cause illness that is usually mild, but can be serious in some cases.

People can get anthrax disease from contact with infected animals or contaminated animal products such as wool, meat, or hides.

The cholera vaccine used in the United States is an oral (swallowed) vaccine. Only one dose is needed.

Ebola vaccine is recommended by CDC for adults 18 years and older at high risk for potential exposure to Ebola virus .

Japanese encephalitis is spread through the bite of an infected mosquito. It does not spread from person to person.

RSV vaccine can prevent lower respiratory tract disease caused by respiratory syncytial virus (RSV). RSV can cause illness in people of all ages but may be especially serious for infants and older adults.

In hot environments, your body may have trouble keeping its temperature at a safe level. As a result, your body temperature rises to unsafe levels. This is heat stress. Heat stress can develop quickly. It can also be very dangerous to your health.