There are many diseases with vaccines available, some of which are recommended for everyone and others that are used for certain people (such as the elderly or teenage girls) or under specific circumstances (such as travel to a foreign country or living in a college dorm).

The list of vaccines that are generally recommended for everyone includes: diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis vaccine (DPT); the measles, mumps, and rubella (German measles) vaccine (MMR); and the polio vaccine. Other vaccines which may be suggested for some adults (depending on their occupation, health and/or lifestyle) include the varicella (chickenpox), menigococcal (meningococcal meningitis), pneumococcal (pneumococcal pneumonia), hepatitis A, hepatitis B, and influenza (flu) vaccines. Additional vaccines recommended for children include rotavirus and haemophilus influenzae type b.

Other vaccines are available that are only recommended for certain populations including vaccines against Human papillomavirus (HPV, which causes genital warts and may cause cervical cancer) for adolescent females and herpes zoster to prevent shingles in people 60 and older.

Vaccines that are commonly recommended for people who travel or work in other countries include yellow fever, cholera, and typhoid. Available vaccines that are usually recommended only for extreme adventure travelers, healthcare workers, or military personnel include smallpox, anthrax, plague, rabies, and adenovirus vaccines.