Disease & Vaccine A–Z

Diseases beginning with X

U.S.-focused summaries with current official guidance links. For a diagnosis, personal vaccine schedule, pregnancy advice, or urgent symptoms, speak with a qualified clinician.

Xeroderma Pigmentosum

No vaccine available

Disease

A rare inherited disorder that prevents normal repair of ultraviolet-light DNA damage, causing extreme sun sensitivity and a very high cancer risk.

Symptoms

Severe sunburn after minimal exposure, early freckling on sun-exposed skin, pigment changes, dry or damaged skin, eye irritation and light sensitivity, and very early skin or eye cancers. Some types also cause progressive neurologic problems.

Typical duration

XP is lifelong. Skin and eye injury accumulates with ultraviolet exposure, and neurologic symptoms in affected subtypes may progress over time.

How serious is it?

Without rigorous UV protection and surveillance, skin-cancer risk is extremely high and cancers can appear in childhood. Eye damage, vision loss, and neurologic disability can also occur.

Treatment & management

There is no cure. Care centers on complete UV protection, frequent skin and eye examinations, prompt removal or treatment of precancerous and cancerous lesions, and management of hearing, neurologic, nutritional, or psychosocial needs.

Vaccine: who and when?

No vaccine prevents or treats xeroderma pigmentosum. It is a genetic disorder, not an infection.

Check the current CDC guidance for Xeroderma Pigmentosum →

Cost and access: Patient cost varies by insurance, provider, location, and eligibility. Many recommended vaccines are covered with no out-of-pocket cost under qualifying plans, and eligible children may receive vaccines through the Vaccines for Children program. CDC price lists are purchasing benchmarks—not guaranteed patient prices. CDC price and program context.

Last reviewed against official U.S. sources: September 5, 2026. This page provides general education, not medical advice.