VACCINE INFORMATION STATEMENT

Many Vaccine Information Statements are 

available in Spanish and other languages. 

See www.immunize.org/vis

Hojas de información sobre vacunas están 

disponibles en español y en muchos otros 

idiomas. Visite www.immunize.org/vis

U.S. Department of 

Health and Human Services 

Centers for Disease 

Control and Prevention 

Adenovirus Vaccine:

What You Need to Know

1 Why get vaccinated?

Adenovirus vaccine can prevent infection with 

some types of adenovirus.

Adenoviruses can cause illness that is usually mild, 

but can 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 an adenovirus infection.

Adenovirus infection can cause:

 Common cold or flu-like symptoms

 Fever

 Sore throat

 Acute bronchitis (inflammation of the airways of 

the lungs, sometimes called a “chest cold”)

 Pneumonia (infection of the lungs)

 Diarrhea

 Conjunctivitis (pink eye)

Infection with adenovirus can also rarely lead to 

more serious problems, such as severe pneumonia or 

neurologic disease (conditions that affect the brain 

and spinal cord), and even death. Some people who 

are infected may have to be hospitalized.

Adenoviruses are usually spread from an infected 

person to others through close personal contact 

such as touching or shaking hands, through the air 

by coughing and sneezing, or through handling 

objects that an infected person has touched. Some 

adenoviruses can spread through an infected 

person’s stool, for example, during diaper changing. 

Adenovirus can also spread through the water, such 

as in swimming pools, but this is less common.

Certain adenovirus types (including Type 4 and 

Type 7) have caused severe outbreaks of respiratory 

illness among military recruits.

2 Adenovirus vaccine

Adenovirus vaccine is only available for United 

States military personnel. There is currently no 

adenovirus vaccine available to the general public.

Adenovirus vaccine contains live adenovirus Type 4 

and Type 7. It will prevent most illness caused by 

these two virus types.

The vaccine comes as two tablets, taken orally 

(by mouth) at the same time. The tablets should 

be swallowed whole, not chewed or crushed.

The vaccine is approved for military personnel 

17 through 50 years of age. It is recommended by the 

Department of Defense for military recruits entering 

basic training. It may also be recommended for 

other military personnel at high risk for adenovirus 

infection.

Adenovirus vaccine may be given at the same time as 

other vaccines.

3 Talk with your health 

care provider

Tell your vaccine provider if the person getting 

the vaccine:

 Has had an allergic reaction after a previous dose 

of adenovirus vaccine, or has any severe, lifethreatening allergies.

 Has a weakened immune system.

 Is younger than 17 or older than 50 years.

 Is pregnant or nursing, or planning to become 

pregnant.

 Is unable to swallow the vaccine tablets whole 

without chewing them.

 Is currently experiencing vomiting or diarrhea.
Office use only

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 getting 

adenovirus vaccine.

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 other people during 

this period, observe proper personal hygiene, such 

as frequent hand washing, especially following bowel 

movements. This is especially important if you 

have close contact with children 7 years of age and 

younger, with anyone having a weakened immune 

system, or with pregnant women.

Your health care provider can give you more 

information.

4 Risks of a vaccine reaction

 Headache, upper respiratory tract infection, stuffy 

nose, sore throat, abdominal pain, cough, nausea, 

diarrhea, fever or joint pain can happen after 

adenovirus vaccine.

 More serious problems including blood in the 

urine or stool, pneumonia, or inflammation of the 

stomach or intestines occur rarely after adenovirus 

vaccination.

As with any medicine, there is a very remote chance 

of a vaccine causing a severe allergic reaction, other 

serious injury, or death.

5 What if there is a serious 

problem?

An allergic reaction could occur after the vaccinated 

person leaves the clinic. If you see signs of a 

severe allergic reaction (hives, swelling of the face 

and throat, difficulty breathing, a fast heartbeat, 

dizziness, or weakness), call 9-1-1 and get the person 

to the nearest hospital.

For other signs that concern you, call your health 

care provider.

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 at 

www.vaers.hhs.gov or call 1-800-822-7967. VAERS 

is only for reporting reactions, and VAERS staff do not 

give medical advice.

6 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) or

-Visit CDC’s adenovirus website at 

www.cdc.gov/adenovirus

Vaccine Information Statement

Adenovirus Vaccine

01/08/2020