PREVENTABLE DISEASES
Vaccine-Preventable Diseases
Vaccination rates remain low among adults for vaccine-preventable diseases.1 With these resources, you can help make a difference in your community by helping to educate and protect patients against vaccine-preventable diseases.
Meningococcal
Although uncommon, meningococcal disease is a serious and potentially life-threatening infection, particularly for teens and young adults 16-23 years of age. Symptoms like a sudden high fever, severe headache, stiff neck, and photophobia can progress rapidly. Among those infected, 10% to 15% will die, sometimes within 24 hours, despite appropriate antibiotic treatment.2-4
Tetanus, diphtheria, and pertussis
Tetanus, diphtheria, and pertussis (whooping cough) are serious diseases.3 Pertussis is highly communicable and is transmitted from person to person through contact with respiratory droplets generated by coughing or sneezing.3 Tetanus is an often fatal disease caused by bacteria that usually enter the body through a wound.3 Although rare in the US, diphtheria is a serious infection spread by respiratory droplets from coughing and sneezing. Diphtheria is more prevalent in some countries outside the US and may affect travelers to these regions.3
Hepatitis A
Hepatitis A is an acute infection of the liver that can result in mild illness or be severe enough to require hospitalization. Although rare, hepatitis A can cause death in some people.5
Shingles
Herpes zoster (shingles) is caused by the reactivation of the varicella-zoster virus, the virus that causes chickenpox. Once chickenpox resolves, the virus remains dormant in the body. The virus can reactive later in life and cause shingles, a painful rash.8
Influenza
Influenza (flu) is an infectious and contagious viral illness. Influenza is primarily spread person to person through airborne droplets from coughs or sneezes or by touching surfaces contaminated with the virus and then touching the eyes, nose, or mouth.3
References: 1. Lu P, Hung M, Srivastav A, et al. Surveillance of vaccination coverage among adult populations—United States, 2018. MMWR Surveill Summ. 2021;70(SS-3):1-26. doi:10.15585/mmwr.ss7003a1 2. Pelton S. Meningococcal disease awareness: clinical and epidemiological factors affecting prevention and management in adolescents. J Adolesc Health. 2010;46:S9-S15. 3. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Hall E, Wodi AP, Hamborsky J, et al, eds. Epidemiology and Prevention of Vaccine-Preventable Diseases. 14th ed. Public Health Foundation; 2021. Accessed February 1, 2022. https://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/pubs/pinkbook/index.html 4. Thompson MJ, Ninis N, Perera R, et al. Clinical recognition of meningococcal disease in children and adolescents. Lancet. 2006;367(9508): 397-403. 5. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Hepatitis A questions and answers for the public. Accessed January 24, 2022. https://www.cdc.gov/hepatitis/hav/afaq.htm 6. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Diabetes and hepatitis B vaccination. October 2012. Accessed January 24, 2022. https://www.cdc.gov/diabetes/pubs/pdf/hepb_vaccination.pdf 7. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Hepatitis B questions and answers for health professionals. Accessed January 24, 2022. https://www.cdc.gov/hepatitis/hbv/hbvfaq.htm#b13 8.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Shingles (herpes zoster) clinical overview. Accessed January 24, 2022. https://www.cdc.gov/shingles/hcp/clinical-overview.html
