Editor’s Note - August 2015

Volume 55 - Issue 8 - August 2015

August is National Immunization Awareness Month and with the help of the National Public Health Information Coalition, the CDC is highlighting the value of immunization for all age groups. Immunization is particularly important for older adults and adults with chronic conditions, such as asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, diabetes, or heart disease. These include an annual influenza vaccine and a one-time Td (tetanus, diphtheria) or Tdap (tetanus, diphtheria, pertussis) if not received as an adolescent or a Td booster shot every 10 years as well as shingles, pneumococcal, hepatitis, and human papillomavirus (HPV).1 

According to the CDC, most adults are not receiving the recommended vaccinations. Only 17% of adults age 19 or older have received the Tdap vaccination. Only 24% of adults age 60 and older have received the shingles vaccination. Only 21% of adults (age 19-64) who deemed high-risk have received the pneumococcal vaccination.2 

Consultant360 recently highlighted several articles focused on vaccinations:

• Dosing for HPV vaccine may vary. According to 2 randomized trials, 1 or 2 doses of the bivalent HPV virus appeared to be as effective as the typical 3-dose regiment in protecting from cervical HPV type 16/18 infections.3  

• Microneede patches may replace traditional vaccines. Administering flu vaccines via microneedle patches that dissolve in the skin induces greater immunity than standard injections and may come to replace injections in the future.4

• New vaccine for hypertension. A new DNA vaccine may lower blood pressure for up to 6 months, cause less hypertension-associated tissue damage to the heart and blood vessels, and improve survival rates.5

• Measles vaccine effective for other infectious diseases. The measles vaccine prevents measles-induced immune system damage that increases vulnerability to other infectious diseases.6

Sincerely,

Pooja Shah

Managing Editor, Consultant and Consultant360

References:

  1. CDC. Recognizing National Immunization Awareness Month. 2015. www.cdc.gov/vaccines/events/niam.html. 
  2. Accessed July 24, 2015.
  3. National Public Health Information Coalition. National Immunization Awareness Month communication toolkit: adults. 2015. www.nphic.org/niam-adults. Accessed July 24, 2015.
  4. Butcher MC. Are 3 doses necessary for the HPV vaccine? Consultant360. June 11, 2015. www.consultant360.com/exclusives/are-3-doses-necessary-hpv-vaccine. Accessed July 24, 2015.
  5. Potts M. Could microneedle patches replace traditional vaccines? Consultant360. July 15, 2015. www.consultant360.com/exclusives/could-microneedle-patches-replace-traditional-vaccines. Accessed July 24, 2015.
  6. Mullarkey C. Could new vaccine effectively treat hypertension? Consultant360. June 1, 2015. www.consultant360.com/exclusives/could-new-vaccine-effectively-treat-hypertension. Accessed July 24, 2015.
  7. Dunham W. Measles vaccine may help thwart other infectious diseases. Consultant360. May 8, 2015. www.consultant360.com/story/measles-vaccine-may-help-thwart-other-infectious-diseases. Accessed July 24, 2015.