Many Adults Not Immunized Against Preventable Disease
by Jennifer Bunn, RNA new study released by the Infectious Diseases Society of America, in conjunction with the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation and the Trust for America’s Health, has disclosed that many American adults have not been vaccinated against many of the vaccine-preventable diseases.
Reasons cited for lack of immunizations in adults include lack of access to primary care by the uninsured, the fact that many insurance plans don’t cover immunization, lack of trust in available vaccines and a healthcare system that does not put prevention first. Lack of emphasis on adult vaccination by physicians is another factor cited for the spotty immunization record of many adults.
Adults have a wide array of vaccines available to help fight preventable diseases. These include:
- Pneumococcal vaccine- protects against pneumonia
- Shingles vaccine- protects against shingles, which can cause a painful rash due to activation of the virus which causes chicken pox
- HPV vaccine- protects against the virus that causes human papilloma virus, which is associated with cervical cancer
- DTP vaccine- protects against diphtheria, tetanus and pertussis (whooping cough)
- Influenza vaccines- protect against seasonal influenza and H1N1 influenza
The report calls for public funding to cover the cost of recommended vaccines, as well as increased public education regarding the need for vaccinations amongst the adult population.
Source: Make Adult Vaccinations as Widespread as Those for Children, Say Immunization Advocates
