Vaccine Information Statement (VIS)
Current edition: January 8, 2020
Source: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

Why Get Vaccinated?

Adenovirus vaccine can prevent infection with certain types of adenovirus.

About Adenovirus Illness

Adenoviruses can cause illness that is usually mild but may be serious in some cases. People with weakened immune systems or existing lung or heart disease are at higher risk of developing severe illness from adenovirus infection.

Illnesses Caused by Adenovirus Infection

Common cold or flu-like symptoms
Fever
Sore throat
Acute bronchitis (inflammation of the airways, sometimes called a "chest cold")
Pneumonia (infection of the lungs)
Diarrhea
Conjunctivitis (pink eye)

Rare but Serious Complications

Infection with adenovirus can rarely lead to:
- Severe pneumonia
- Neurologic disease (conditions affecting the brain and spinal cord)
- Hospitalization
- Death

How Adenovirus Spreads

Adenoviruses are usually transmitted through:
- Close personal contact (touching, shaking hands)
- Respiratory droplets from coughing or sneezing
- Contact with contaminated objects or surfaces
- Fecal-oral route (e.g., during diaper changing)
- Contaminated water (e.g., swimming pools), though this is less common

Military-Specific Risk

Certain adenovirus types, including Type 4 and Type 7, have caused severe outbreaks of respiratory illness among military recruits.

Adenovirus Vaccine

Availability

Adenovirus vaccine is only available for United States military personnel
There is currently no adenovirus vaccine available to the general public

Vaccine Composition

Contains live adenovirus Type 4 and Type 7
Prevents most illness caused by these two virus types

Administration

Supplied as two tablets taken orally (by mouth) at the same time
Tablets must be swallowed whole; do not chew or crush

Approved Population

Approved for military personnel ages 17 through 50 years
Recommended by the Department of Defense for military recruits entering basic training
May also be recommended for other military personnel at high risk for adenovirus infection

Co-administration

Adenovirus vaccine may be given at the same time as other vaccines.

Talk with Your Health Care Provider

Before receiving adenovirus vaccine, inform your vaccine provider if the person getting the vaccine:

Condition or Situation	Why It Matters
Has had an allergic reaction after a previous dose of adenovirus vaccine, or has any severe, life-threatening allergies	Risk of serious allergic reaction
Has a weakened immune system	Live vaccine may pose risks in immunocompromised individuals
Is younger than 17 or older than 50 years	Vaccine is not approved for these age groups
Is pregnant, nursing, or planning to become pregnant	Safety data limited in these populations
Is unable to swallow the vaccine tablets whole without chewing them	Improper administration may reduce effectiveness or increase risk
Is currently experiencing vomiting or diarrhea	May affect vaccine absorption or indicate acute illness

Timing Considerations

In some cases, your health care provider may decide to postpone adenovirus vaccination to a future visit
People with minor illnesses, such as a cold, may be vaccinated
People who are moderately or severely ill should usually wait until they recover before receiving adenovirus vaccine

Important Precaution: Viral Shedding

Virus from the vaccine can be shed in the stool for up to 28 days after vaccination. To minimize the risk of spreading vaccine virus to others during this period:

Observe proper personal hygiene, especially frequent hand washing after bowel movements
Take extra precautions if you have close contact with:
Children 7 years of age and younger
Anyone with a weakened immune system
Pregnant women

Your health care provider can give you more information about these precautions.

Risks of a Vaccine Reaction

Common Side Effects

The following reactions may occur after adenovirus vaccine:
- Headache
- Upper respiratory tract infection symptoms
- Stuffy nose
- Sore throat
- Abdominal pain
- Cough
- Nausea
- Diarrhea
- Fever
- Joint pain

Rare but Serious Reactions

More serious problems occur rarely after adenovirus vaccination and may include:
- Blood in the urine or stool
- Pneumonia
- Inflammation of the stomach or intestines

Severe Allergic Reactions

As with any medicine, there is a very remote chance of a vaccine causing:
- A severe allergic reaction
- Other serious injury
- Death

What If There Is a Serious Problem?

Signs of a Severe Allergic Reaction

Seek emergency medical care immediately if you observe any of the following after vaccination:
- Hives
- Swelling of the face and throat
- Difficulty breathing
- Fast heartbeat
- Dizziness or weakness

Action: Call 9-1-1 and get the person to the nearest hospital.

Other Concerning Signs

For other signs that concern you, contact your health care provider.

Reporting Adverse Events

Adverse reactions should be reported to the Vaccine Adverse Event Reporting System (VAERS):
- Your health care provider will usually file this report, or you can do it yourself
- Visit the VAERS website or call 1-800-822-7967
- Note: VAERS is only for reporting reactions; VAERS staff do not provide medical advice

How Can I Learn More?

Ask your health care provider
Call your local or state health department
Contact the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC):
Call 1-800-232-4636 (1-800-CDC-INFO)
Visit CDC's adenovirus website: cdc.gov/adenovirus

Additional Language Resources

Many vaccine information statements are available in Spanish and other languages.
Visit: www.immunize.org/vis

Hojas de información sobre vacunas están disponibles en español y en muchos otros idiomas. Visite www.immunize.org/vis.

Document Information

Field	Detail
Document Type	Vaccine Information Statement (VIS)
Vaccine	Adenovirus Vaccine (Type 4 and Type 7)
Current Edition	January 8, 2020
Language	English (US)
Formats Available	Rich text file, PDF, translations via Immunize.org
Issuing Agency	U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

Download Resources

Related Vaccine Information Statements

View all Vaccine Information Statements

This content is adapted from the official CDC Vaccine Information Statement. For the most current information, please visit cdc.gov/vaccines/hcp/vis.