Terry Brenneman, MD

This Patient Care Special Report updates you on pediatric vaccines in a series of clever clinical scenarios. First, the intro and pretest.

What does a chinchilla have to do with vaccines? Ear infections? A Bandaid? It's actually pretty interesting--have a look.

ACIP recommends the zoster vaccine be given at age 60 years. That could be too late for some. And, what about this 60-year-old?

An 8-year-old needs his second dose of Fluzone; all you have on hand is trivalent Fluviran. Is it OK to mix?

True or False: some mixed vaccines have vaccine in the diluent and the powder. Answer and more questions in our short quiz.

Is there convincing evidence of a causal connection between GBS and vaccines? Consider this clinical scenario, then choose true from false.

Often there are very subtle differences between the two; test your deciphering skills with 3 interesting scenarios.

The number of US cases of mumps in recent years may surprise you. What's behind the rise and why don't we hear about it?

Vaccine shorthand can simplify or confuse. Test your knowledge of the alphabet soup and get valuable CDC links to help decode.

Not all vaccine information websites were created with evidence-based medicine in mind. Which of these would you recommend to patients?

The list of mandatory immunizations for legal immigration status has changed over the years. Are you up-to-date?

The optimal window for administering the Tdap vaccine during pregnancy is later rather than earlier in the third trimester. How much later?

There are 4 possible answers offered here as to what compromised the vaccine's efficacy. What's your pick?

FDA changed Flulaval's indication from age ≥3 years to age ≥6 months. The advantage? Now one size, 0.5 cc, fits all.

"My child won't be intimate before marriage," is a common parental refrain. The CDC says, don't bet on it. Do you know the odds?

Do you know how flu pandemics get their names? Find out here, as well as how the CDC is working hard to prevent the next one.

What is the CDC's new guidance on influenza vaccination and egg allergy? Make sure you don't find out from a patient.

Achilles was a Greek warrior, but did he have a vulnerable heel? Vaccines were once preserved with a type of mercury, but was it linked to autism?

What are your personal pros and cons on "firing" families for vaccination refusal? See if Dr Brenneman's comments resonate with you.

The patient is 19, was home-schooled, and is referred to primary care by the local emergency department. Where to start?

Where does your preferred candidate for POTUS stand on vaccination issues? Would you recognize his/her tweet on the topic?

In recognition of National Vaccine Awareness Month, test your own awareness of vaccines present and past.

We are 10 years into the Zostavax life cycle. Find out how the shingles vaccine is performing and what you know about it.

Who gets the best protection from Zostavax and how long does it last? Is that enough?

Respiratory syncytial virus may account for up to 5% of adult community acquired pneumonias. We may need more than one RSV vaccine.

Respiratory syncytial virus is common and most babies will have had it by age 2 years. Why can't we make a vaccine?

Imagine a US lottery where the prize money funds an NIH flu program. Now imagine, as the NIH head, you get to choose the program.

What is the acceptable balance between benefit and risk to prevent a vaccine's being pulled from the market? See what you recall about these 3 cases.