Successful strategies in adult immunization

Article Abstract:

Although vaccines are available that can prevent pneumococcal disease, influenza, and hepatitis, many adults who are at high risk for these infections are not vaccinated. A report is presented of the effectiveness of efforts to increase adult vaccination. In 1988, the Centers for Disease Control, working with the Health Care Financing Administration, provided grant money to evaluate the effectiveness of making influenza vaccine available to Medicare patients. During the first three years of the program, there was a substantial improvement in vaccine delivery. The percentage of vaccinated Medicare patients increased from 30 to 41 percent. In California, both influenza and pneumococcal vaccines are funded by the state and are mainly dispensed local health departments, community sites, and nursing homes. Over a 10-year period, this program has increased the total dose of influenza and pneumococcal vaccine that is administered by 92 percent. Another strategy, begun in 1990, offers hepatitis B vaccination to people attending sexually transmitted disease clinics who are at high risk for sexually transmitted hepatitis B infection. Several factors contribute to low vaccination levels in adults including the lack of a comprehensive system for vaccination; no mandate to have the vaccination; complex vaccination schedules; missed opportunities during other health care contacts (clinic or office visits); no easy access to vaccination; and fear of side effects. Epidemics of influenza cause more than 20,000 deaths a year. Although 80 to 90 percent of these deaths occur in patients over 65, only 30 percent of the elderly are vaccinated. There are 19 national health objectives to be reached by the year 2000; 10 involve adult vaccination. Achieving this goal will require many different strategies aimed at improving patient awareness, vaccine delivery, and developing delivery systems that are publicly supported so that inability to pay or inaccessibility are no longer constraints. (Consumer Summary produced by Reliance Medical Information, Inc.)

Methods, Demographic aspects, Preventive health services, Preventive medicine, Immunization

---

Vaccine-preventable diseases among adults: standards for adult immunization practice

Article Abstract:

Although the incidence of diseases that are preventable by vaccines has declined in children, these diseases may still develop in adults who were not infected during childhood or were not previously immunized. Aging, occupation, lifestyle, or chronic disease may increase the risk of vaccine-preventable disease in adults. Certain types of vaccine-preventable disease, such as hepatitis B, affect mainly persons aged 20 and older. Ten of the 19 health objectives concerning infectious diseases for the year 2000 in the United States are related to the immunization of adults. The changing trends in the incidence of influenza, pneumococcal disease, hepatitis B, and measles in adults in the United States are described. The year 2000 health objectives concerning these infectious diseases include: the reduction of pneumonia and influenza deaths associated with influenza epidemics; the provision of pneumococcal vaccines to 60 percent of high-risk populations, such as those persons aged 65 years and older; an increase in hepatitis B immunization to 90 percent among persons at occupational risk, such as health care workers, and to 50 percent among intravenous (IV) drug users; and complete elimination of indigenous measles. Although safe and effective vaccines are available for adults, studies show that influenza and pneumococcal vaccines are not used optimally. Hepatitis B vaccination is recommended for IV drugs users, sexually active adults with multiple sexual partners, infants and adolescents, and health professionals, particularly those in training. Immunization against measles should be a requirement before entry into college. The goals of the National Coalition for Adult Immunization, formed in 1988 to increase efforts to immunize adults, are described. (Consumer Summary produced by Reliance Medical Information, Inc.)

Health aspects, Laws, regulations and rules, Adults

---

International task force for disease eradication

Article Abstract:

A summary is presented concerning the findings of the International Task Force for Disease Eradication (ITFDE) on the potential for eradicating eight infectious diseases. Statistics regarding these diseases are provided. They are: guinea worm disease (dracunculiasis), poliomyelitis, onchocerciasis (a disease leading to blindness caused by a parasite), yaws and endemic syphilis, rabies, measles, tuberculosis, and leprosy. Of the above, guinea worm disease and poliomyelitis are considered eradicable. Partial eradication of onchocerciasis, yaws and syphilis, measles, and rabies (in urban areas) is feasible. Elimination of tuberculosis and leprosy is not considered feasible at this time. The ITFDE was formed in 1988 with the goal of systematic evaluation of the eradicability of diseases, identification of obstacles to their eradication, and promotion of eradication efforts when possible. The eradication of smallpox, completed in 1977, was possible because of four factors that are not necessarily applicable to the situations surrounding the eight diseases discussed (for example, availability of a safe, effective vaccine). Interim targets for disease elimination established by the United States and other countries help in these efforts and encourage mobilization of support. Countries unaffected by a disease also need to help in its eradication, since small foci may still exist that could become large. (Consumer Summary produced by Reliance Medical Information, Inc.)

International aspects, Surveys, Epidemiology

Similar abstracts:

• Abstracts: New initiatives in adolescent health promotion. Prevention and adolescent health: commentary on progress of the past 2 years
• Abstracts: Taurine concentrations in serum of critically injured patients and age- and sex-matched healthy control subjects
• Abstracts: The association of genital ulcer disease and HIV infection at a dermatology-STD clinic in Uganda. High-titer positive nontreponemal tests with negative specific treponemal serology in patients with HIV infection and/or intravenous substance use
• Abstracts: Current concerns in haematology 1: is the painful crisis of sickle cell disease a "steal" syndrome? Current problems in haematology 2: hereditary spherocytosis
• Abstracts: Seasonal trends in US asthma hospitalizations and mortality. part 2 Asthma - United States, 1980-1990

This website is not affiliated with document authors or copyright owners. This page is provided for informational purposes only. Unintentional errors are possible.