University of California Immunization Requirements & Recommendations
What you should know about Vaccine Preventable Diseases (VPD):
Many VPD’s were very common before widespread vaccination programs began. With decreasing
vaccination rates, outbreaks of some of these infections have started to recur.
Diphtheria Causes a thick covering in the back of the throat. It can lead to breathing problems, paralysis, heart
failure, and even death.
Hepatitis A A serious liver disease that is usually spread by close personal contact or by eating contaminated food
or water. Hepatitis A can cause mild, “flu-like” illness, jaundice (yellow skin or eyes), and severe
stomach pains and diarrhea. Teens and adults are most likely to have a severe case.
Hepatitis B
Human
Papillomavirus
Another serious liver disease that can cause short-term (acute) appetite loss, diarrhea, vomiting,
fatigue, jaundice (yellow skin or eyes), and/or pain in muscles, joints, and stomach. It also can cause
long-term (chronic) illness that leads to liver damage (cirrhosis), liver cancer, and death.
A virus that causes genital warts and a variety of cancers, and is spread by direct skin-to-skin contact.
Influenza (flu) A contagious viral disease spread through coughing or sneezing. Influenza can lead to pneumonia, sinus
or ear infections, worsening of chronic conditions such as asthma or diabetes, and even death.
Measles
Meningococcal
Disease
This virus causes a rash, cough, runny nose, eye irritation, and fever. It can lead to ear infections,
pneumonia, seizures, brain damage, and even death.
A typically severe bacterial infection that can cause hearing loss, learning problems, brain damage, or
loss of limbs. About 1 in 10 people with meningococcal disease will die from it. The disease is spread
when people live in close contact or through other close contact such as partying or kissing. Teens and
young adults have a higher risk for meningococcal disease.
Mumps This virus causes fever, headache, swollen glands and painful swelling of the testicles or ovaries. It
can lead to deafness, meningitis (infection of the brain and spinal cord covering), and, rarely, death.
P
ertussis Also called whooping cough, causes prolonged coughing spells for weeks to months that can end in
vomiting. It can lead to pneumonia, seizures (jerking and staring spells), brain damage, and death.
Polio A disease caused by a virus which can cause paralysis (cannot move arms or legs). It can kill
people who get it, usually by paralyzing the muscles that help them breathe.
Pneumococcal
disease
A leading cause of bacterial meningitis in the United States. It causes many health problems in,
including pneumonia, meningitis, blood infections, sinus infections, ear infections, and even death.
Rubella Also known as German Measles, this virus usually causes mild fever and a rash. However, if a woman
gets rubella while pregnant, she could have a miscarriage or her baby could have serious birth defects.
Tetanus Also called Lockjaw, this is a painful tightening of the muscles, usually all over the body. It can lead
to “locking” of the jaw so the person cannot open their mouth or swallow. Tetanus can be fatal.
Tuberculosis A disease caused by a bacterium called Mycobacterium tuberculosis. The bacteria usually attack the
lungs, but can infect any part of the body, such as the kidney, spine, and brain. If not treated
properly over several months, tuberculosis can be fatal.
Varicella Also known as Chickenpox, this virus causes a rash, itching, fever, and tiredness. While chickenpox is
usually a mild illness, it also can lead to severe skin infections, scars, pneumonia, brain damage, or
death.