Understanding common vaccine abbreviations can help you make sure your immunizations and your child’s immunizations are up-to-date, and it can also help you when filling out required forms.
Vaccine List
Common vaccines that you might see on your own or on your child’s immunization record include:
DTaP: Diphtheria, tetanus, and acellular pertussis vaccine DTaP-IPV: Diphtheria, tetanus, toxoids, acellular pertussis, inactivated poliovirus vaccine (Quadracel, Kinrix) DTP: Diphtheria, tetanus, and whole-cell pertussis vaccine DT: Pediatric diphtheria and tetanus vaccine, usually used for for kids too young to get a Td HepA: Hepatitis A vaccine (Havrix and Vaqta) HepB: Hepatitis B vaccine HepB-IPV: Hepatitis B and inactivated poliovirus vaccine Hib: Haemophilus influenzae type B conjugate vaccine HPV: Human papillomavirus vaccine HPV2: Bivalent HPV vaccine (Cervarix) HPV4: Quadrivalent HPV vaccine HPV9: Noavalent HPV vaccine (Gardasil) IPV: Inactivated poliovirus vaccine IIV: Inactivated influenza vaccine IIV3: Inactivated influenza vaccine, trivalent IIV4: Inactivated influenza vaccine, quadrivalent LAIV: Live, attenuated flu vaccine such as FluMist MenB: Serogroup B meningococcal vaccines (Bexsero and Trumenba) MMR: Measles, mumps, and rubella vaccine MMRV: Measles, mumps, rubella, and varicella vaccine (ProQuad) MCV4: Quadrivalent meningococcal conjugate vaccine (Menactra and Menveo) MPSV4: Menningococcal polysaccaride vaccine (quadrivalent) MPSV4: Meningococcal polysaccharide vaccine (Menomune) OPV: Oral polio vaccine PCV: Pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (Prevnar) PCV7: Seven valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (Prevnar 7) PCV13: 13 valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (Prevnar 13) PPSV23: Pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccine (Pneumovax 23) Rota: Rotavirus vaccine RV: Rotavirus vaccine RV1: Monovalent rotavirus vaccine (Rotarix) RV5: Pentavalent rotavirus vaccine (RotaTeq) TIV: Trivalent inactivated influenza vaccine (a flu shot) Tdap: Tetanus, diphtheria toxoids, and acellular pertussis vaccine (Boostrix and Adacel) Td: Tetanus and diphtheria toxoids, used as a tetanus booster shot VAR: Varicella (chicken pox) vaccine (Varivax)
Other Abbreviations
The method of administration or the site on the body where a vaccine is given to a child is often abbreviated in the medical records. Routes of vaccine administration:
IM: Intramuscular injection, which usually uses a needle placed in a large muscle, such as in the thigh or upper arm.IN: Intranasally, an uncommon type of vaccine administration route.PO: A vaccine that is given orally, by mouth.Sub Q, SQ or SC: Subcutaneous injection, which is a superficial injection in which the needle is injected in an angled or almost horizontal position, just beneath the skin.
Common locations for vaccine injections can include:
RA (right arm)LA (left arm)RT (right thigh)LT (left thigh)
Other Definitions
There are also a few terms that are commonly used in vaccination records.
Adverse event: An adverse event is a bad outcome after medical treatment. Generally, adverse events are not as common as side effects and can be more severe. An allergy to immunization would be considered an adverse event.Bivalent vaccines: A bivalent vaccine targets against two strains of a microorganism, a quadravalent against four strains, and a noavalent against nine strains.Conjugate vaccines: These vaccines use a part of the infectious agent, which can be derived from the microorganism, or artificially produced, to elicit the immune response against the organism.Herd Immunity: This describes the concept that a disease is less prevalent, and therefore less likely to spread when more people are vaccinated. People who have a weak immune system, such as people who are being treated for cancer, who have certain types of blood cancers, premature babies, and individuals with conditions such as HIV, are more likely to catch an infectious disease even if they have been immunized.Inactivated vaccines: Vaccines produced by an inactivated version of the infection-producing microorganism.Live-attenuated vaccines: These are vaccines produced from a harmful infectious agent that is weakened. These vaccinations can provide lasting immunity, but they may be unsafe if you have a weakened immune system.Side effects: A side effect is an event that may occur after exposure to any medical treatment, such as a vaccine. Common side effects include pain at the injection site, redness, soreness, and a sense of feeling “run down.“Toxoid vaccines: These vaccines use parts of the harmful toxin that is produced by a microorganism, rather than the microorganism itself, to create immunity against the harmful toxin. This is used with tetanus and diphtheria vaccines.
Vaccination Records
Proof of vaccination is sometimes needed for going to school, traveling abroad, or starting a new job. Most vaccination or immunization record forms contain several columns that include:
Date given: The month, date, and year the vaccine was administered.Lot number and manufacture: This is tracked in case there is a problem with the vaccine.Route and site: How the vaccine was administered, such as intramuscular, intranasal, or oral, and the location, such as right arm or left thigh.Specific type of vaccination: Some diseases that are vaccinated against come in different formulations. An example is the measles vaccine, which is included in MMR and MMRV shots. This column is where you will see the abbreviations listed below.Vaccinator: Signature of the person who administered the vaccine, usually a nurse.Vaccine information statement: The date the vaccine was manufactured and the date the vaccine was administered.
There is no national database that tracks vaccination records, although some states do have voluntary registries. If you misplace your vaccination history, you can check with past and present healthcare providers or school record departments, although forms may only be available for a limited amount of years. If you cannot find proof of vaccination, your doctor may take blood samples to test for immunization titers for certain diseases and you may need to be revaccinated. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention getting an additional dose of vaccine is not ideal, however, it is still safe.
A Word From Verywell
Immunizations are considered one of the greatest breakthroughs in medical science, preventing a number of deadly diseases and controlling dangerous epidemics. They are considered safe, and if you have any concerns, you should try to learn as much as you can about vaccines and their history.
