Adult Vaccination Rates
Thursday, April 10, 2008

Many adults are not receiving their recommended vaccinations, according to a survey by the Centers for Disease Control. Dr. Ken Davis talks about adult immunization rates in today’s 60 Second Housecall.

New data from the Centers for Disease Control shows that too few adults in the United States are being vaccinated against serious and even deadly diseases.

Vaccination rates for the most widely known vaccinations fell far short of target goals, and only a small percentage of the eligible adult population received some of the less-established immunizations.

The government's goal is to vaccinate at least 90 percent of people 65 and over against the flu and pneumococcal disease.  Less than 70 percent of people in this age range are actually receiving these vaccinations.

In addition to influenza and pneumococcal disease, vaccination is recommended for adults to protect against shingles, whooping cough, diphtheria, hepatitis A and B, HPV, measles, meningococcal disease, mumps, rubella and tetanus.

Researchers concluded that a concerted effort is needed to raise adult immunization rates.  Ask your physician which immunizations are recommended for your age group.

 For North Mississippi Medical Center, I’m Dr. Ken Davis.