Posts
CDC reports that 2010–2011 adult
immunization rates for hepatitis A, hepatitis B, herpes zoster, human
papillomavirus (HPV), pneumococcal disease, and tetanus-diphtheria-pertussis
(Tdap), are “unacceptably low” for US adults in comparison to the Healthy People
2020 goals.
Rates for HPV and Tdap vaccination
increased slightly from 2010 to 2011. The proportion of women aged 19 to 26 who
had at least one dose of HPV vaccine rose from 20.7 percent to 29.5 percent.
Only 3 percent of males received HPV vaccination in 2011, the first year that
CDC recommended the vaccine for males. In 2011, 12.5 percent of the general
population and 26.8 percent of healthcare workers received Tdap vaccinations—an
increase of 4.3 percent and 6.5 percent, respectively.
The goal for hepatitis A and hepatitis
B vaccination coverage is 90 percent of US adults. Only 12.5 percent of 19- to
49-year-old adults received hepatitis A vaccination in 2011. Hepatitis B
coverage increased to 35.9 percent of people aged 19 to 49.
The proportion of adults older than
60 who have been immunized for herpes zoster was 15.8 percent, well below the
goal of 30 percent.
The goal for pneumococcal
immunization of adults aged 65 and older is 90 percent; only 62.3 percent of
this group has been vaccinated. High-risk populations aged 19 to 65 have 20.1
percent coverage.
Improved workplace and commercial
access to vaccines, and reminder systems could increase vaccination rates. The
report also advises that healthcare providers should offer recommended
vaccinations as part of routine adult care. The survey, which had a 66-percent
response rate, relied on self-reported data unconfirmed by medical records.
The full report, “Noninfluenza
Vaccination Coverage Among Adults —United States, 2011,” was published online
in the Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report (2013; 62 (4):66–72).
The Friends of AIDS Foundation is
dedicated to enhancing the quality of life for HIV positive individuals and
empowering people to make healthy choices to prevent the spread of the HIV
virus. To learn more about The Friends of AIDS Foundation, please visit: http://www.friendsofaids.org.
TOGETHER WE REMAIN STRONG!
