What Is the Adenovirus Type 4 and Type 7 Vaccine? Uses, Dosage, and What You Need to Know in 2026

The Adenovirus Type 4 and Type 7 Vaccine, Live, Oral is a live virus vaccine used exclusively within the U.S. military to prevent febrile acute respiratory disease caused by adenovirus types 4 and 7. It is one of a small number of vaccines in the world approved for use in a population as specific as military recruits, and its 50-year history of development and use makes it a fascinating case study in military medicine and vaccine science.

If you are a military recruit, the parent of a future service member, or simply curious about this vaccine, this guide explains everything you need to know: what it is, what it prevents, how it's given, who can receive it, and why it matters.

What Is Adenovirus and Why Is It a Problem in the Military?

Adenoviruses are a family of common viruses that cause a wide range of illnesses, including respiratory infections, conjunctivitis (pink eye), gastroenteritis, and urinary tract infections. There are more than 50 distinct types of adenovirus. Most healthy adults experience adenovirus infections as mild, self-limiting illnesses similar to the common cold.

However, in military basic training environments, adenoviruses—particularly types 4 and 7—historically caused serious and widespread febrile acute respiratory disease (ARD) outbreaks. The combination of crowded living conditions, physical and psychological stress, sleep deprivation, and exposure to individuals from geographically diverse regions (bringing diverse microbial exposures) creates an ideal environment for adenovirus transmission. Before effective vaccines were available, adenovirus ARD was the leading cause of sick days, training disruptions, and hospitalizations among military recruits.

What Is the Adenovirus Type 4 and Type 7 Vaccine?

The Adenovirus Type 4 and Type 7 Vaccine, Live, Oral is an FDA-licensed vaccine (BL 125296) manufactured by Barr Labs, Inc. (now under Teva Women's Health, Inc.). It was first licensed on March 16, 2011, for military populations aged 17 through 50.

The vaccine contains viable, selected strains of human adenovirus Type 4 and human adenovirus Type 7 prepared in human-diploid fibroblast cell cultures (strain WI-38). The virus strains are not attenuated—they are not weakened versions of the virus but are actual live viruses that replicate in the intestinal tract, where they trigger the immune system to produce protective antibodies.

There is no brand name for this vaccine. It has no generic equivalent. It is available only through U.S. military channels and is not sold through civilian pharmacies or prescribers.

What Does the Vaccine Prevent?

The vaccine prevents febrile acute respiratory disease (ARD) caused by adenovirus Types 4 and 7. Febrile ARD is defined as having one or more respiratory symptoms (sore throat, cough, rhinorrhea, nasal congestion, rales/rhonchi) plus an oral temperature >100.5°F, confirmed by laboratory culture for adenovirus.

The vaccine does not prevent all adenovirus infections—only those caused by types 4 and 7. Other adenovirus serotypes (such as types 3, 14, and 21) can still cause illness in vaccinated recruits. The vaccine also does not prevent influenza, COVID-19, RSV, or other respiratory viruses.

Dosage: How Is the Vaccine Given?

The Adenovirus Vaccine is administered as a single oral dose consisting of two enteric-coated tablets taken at the same time:

Tablet 1: Adenovirus Type 4 (white tablet, no dye), containing at least 32,000 tissue-culture infective doses (4.5 log10 TCID50)

Tablet 2: Adenovirus Type 7 (contains FD&C Yellow #6 dye), containing at least 32,000 tissue-culture infective doses (4.5 log10 TCID50)

Critical dosing instructions:

Both tablets must be swallowed whole with water — do NOT chew, crush, or break the tablets

The vaccine is a single dose — there is no second dose, no booster schedule

Postpone if experiencing vomiting or diarrhea at the time of vaccination

Administration is oral (by mouth) — it is NOT an injection

Who Can Receive the Adenovirus Vaccine?

The vaccine is FDA-approved only for:

U.S. military personnel, aged 17 through 50

Undergoing intensive military training, who have limited contact with pregnant women, children under 7, and immunocompromised individuals

It is NOT approved for civilians, military dependents, retirees (for civilian use), or children/adolescents under 17. Safety and effectiveness have not been evaluated in populations outside this age range.

How Effective Is the Vaccine?

The vaccine is highly effective. The pivotal Phase 3 clinical trial demonstrated significant efficacy against febrile ARD caused by wild-type adenovirus Type 4. For Type 7, the vaccine demonstrated high seroconversion rates (development of protective antibodies), which served as the primary efficacy measure since Type 7 ARD incidence was too low to assess clinical disease prevention directly.

Real-world post-licensure data confirmed the vaccine's effectiveness: after vaccine reintroduction in October 2011, military training sites experienced a 100-fold decline in adenovirus disease burden within two years. The vaccine now prevents an estimated 1 death, 1,100–2,700 hospitalizations, and 13,000 febrile adenovirus cases per year across the military.

Important Information for Recruits Before Basic Training

You will receive the vaccine at your training installation as part of in-processing — you don't need to seek it out beforehand

Disclose pregnancy, severe allergies, difficulty swallowing, or immunocompromised status to your recruiter before shipping

After vaccination, practice frequent handwashing and avoid close contact with pregnant individuals, children under 7, and immunocompromised family members for 28 days

Women must use contraception for 6 weeks post-vaccination

To learn about how the vaccine works in the body, see: How Does the Adenovirus Vaccine Work? Mechanism of Action Explained.

For a full breakdown of what side effects to expect, see: Adenovirus Vaccine Side Effects: What to Expect and When to Call Your Doctor.