How to Talk about Vaccines in Spanish: Names and Scheduling

How to Talk about Vaccines and Immunization Schedules in Spanish

If you have to give immunizations or talk about vaccine schedules in Spanish, this post is perfect for you!

This week I had a conversational class with a group of students at the University of Colorado and our topic was talking about vaccines and immunizations in Spanish. It was such a fun and insightful lunch hour that I thought I would turn it into a blog post for everyone!

I’ve categorized the vocabulary and common phrases into everyday topics surrounding giving immunizations

Explaining the importance of immunizations in Spanish:

  • (no) debe… = You should (shouldn’t)…
  • (no) es importante… = It’s (not) important…
  • (no) necesita = You (don’t) need…
  • vacunarse = to be immunized
  • para prevenir = to prevent

Debunking the myths of autism and other objections to getting vaccines in Spanish:

  • los estudios = the studies
  • las investigaciones = the research
  • el autismo = autism
  • los riesgos = the risks
  • los beneficios = the benefits
  • falso = false
  • fabricado = fabricated

Names of immunizations in Spanish:

  • Combinada contra neumococo = PVC13
  • Culebrilla = Shingles
  • Difteria, Tétanos y Tos Ferina = DTaP
  • Hepatitis A/B = Hep A/B
  • Influenza = Flu
  • Meningocócico  = Meningococcal
  • Polisacárida contra Neumococo = PPSV23
  • Rotavirus = RV
  • Sarampión, Paperas, Rubéola = MMR
  • Vacuna Inactivada = Inactive Vaccine
  • Vacuna Viva Atenuada = Live Attenuated Vaccine
  • Varicela = Chicken Pox
  • VPH – Virus del Papiloma Humano = HPV

Discussing the immunization schedule in Spanish:

  • a los # años = at # years
  • a los # meses = at # months
  • antes de = before
  • cada año = every year
  • después de los # años = after # years
  • en la próxima cita = at the next appointment
  • primera dosis = first dose
  • segunda dosis = second dose
  • tercera dosis = third dose
  • cuarta dosis = fourth dose

Talking about common side effects and allergic reactions warning signs of vaccines in Spanish:

  • alergias a huevos = egg allergies
  • alergias a mariscos = shellfish allergies
  • alergias a otras vacunas = allergies to other vaccines
  • dificultad para respirar = difficulty breathing
  • dolor = pain
  • enrojecimiento = redness
  • falta de aire = shortness of breath
  • fiebre alta = high fever
  • fiebre leve = low-grade fever
  • inflamación = inflammation
  • silbidos = wheezing

Asking about medical conditions or other meds patients are taking:

  • ¿Padece de VIH? = Do you have HIV?
  • ¿Padece de tuberculosis? = Do you have TB?
  • ¿Padece de artritis reumatoide? = Do you have rheumatoid arthritis?
  • ¿Padece de cáncer? = Do you have cancer?
  • ¿Toma esteroides? = Are you taking steroids?
  • ¿Toma quimioterapia? = Are you taking chemotherapy?

Some practice activities if you have a buddy to speak Medical Spanish with:

  1. Explique a mamá y papá la importancia de seguir las recomendaciones para vacunación.
    1. ¿Por qué es importante?
    2. ¿Cuáles son los riesgos de no vacunarse?
    3. ¿Cuáles son los posibles efectos secundarios y signos de advertencia después de recibir una vacuna?
    4. ¿Qué respuesta puede dar a las preguntas sobre el autismo y otras condiciones que algunos atribuyen a las vacunas?
  2. Explique las recomendaciones para los infantes de 0 – 15 meses. Puede buscar información específica aquí: http://goo.gl/zT7TH9
  3. Explique las recomendaciones para niños de 18 meses – 18 años. Puede buscar más información aquí: http://goo.gl/zT7TH9
  4. ¿Qué recomendaciones tiene cuando un niño no recibe la vacuna en la edad recomendada? Explique las recomendaciones a mamá y papá. Puede buscar más información aquí: http://goo.gl/eHDm9L
  5. ¿Cuáles son las vacunas recomendadas después de los 19 años y cuándo se administran? Hable con su paciente adolescente sobre lo que necesita y cuando. Puede buscar más información aquí: http://goo.gl/8Zuq0f
  6. Hable con su paciente mayor de 65 años (de la 3ª edad) – ¿Cuáles son las vacunas recomendadas? Puede buscar más información aquí: http://goo.gl/hWzGMY

Keep up the good work speaking responsible Spanish to your patients! Check out our other books, classes & products to help you learn medical Spanish!

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