Health Feature Articles
Recent Immunization Additions
Mary Gosche, Human Development Specialist, University of Missouri Extension
When my daughter entered college five years ago, I
insisted that she take the shot for meningitis. She was
very mad at her mother but, several months later, when
someone in the dorm became sick she was very thankful
she was immunized. For many years, immunization was
administered mostly in childhood and old age. Now MO law
requires that college students be informed of the
disease and the importance of immunization.
Teenagers are very difficult to immunize. They may
only go to the doctor when they have a broken bone or
are seriously ill. Symptoms of bacterial meningitis are:
a stiff neck, numbness in the hands and feet and
sensitivity to light. Adolescents are targeted because
the bacteria spreads easily through dormitories,
military barracks and other close quarters. According to
a study by Dr. Lee Harrison published in the Journal of
the American Medical Association, older adolescents and
young adults represent 30% of the cases of bacterial
meningitis in the United States. The death rate is 19%,
which is three to four times higher than for younger age
groups.
Why immunize?
- Prevent diseases
- Reduce medical costs
- Reduce spread of disease to other high risk groups
- Decrease absences from school/work
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention advisory
panel recommends new vaccines, and most physicians
follow its advice. Public health departments in the
county have these vaccines available at costs that cover
their expenses. However, many families rely on the
school to alert them as when immunizations are needed.
Sometimes immunization schedules are not well understood
and they vary from state to state.
When I was doing research for this article, the
immunization schedule for children was being revised on
the Center for Disease Control’s web site. Check with
your pediatrician for the updated immunization schedule
for children or check the website
http://www.cdc.gov/. A
new vaccine approved in June 2006 by the Food and Drug
Administration is Human Papilloma Virus (HPV). This is
the first anti-cancer vaccine in the United States. This
vaccine is recommended for sexually active teenagers
before the onset of sexual activity.
Immunization Schedule
Vaccines for teenagers:
- Varicella (chicken pox)
- Hepatitis B
- Measles-Mumps-Rubella (MMR)
- Tetanus-Diptheria
Vaccines for college students:
- Bacterial Meningitis
Vaccines for Adults:
- Tetanus-Diphtheria
(all adults, every 10 years) - Influenza (Flu)
(adults 50 and older) - Pneumococcal
(adults 65 and older) - Hepatitis B
(adults at risk) - Measles-Mumps-Rubella (MMR)
(susceptible adults) - Varicella (chickenpox)
(susceptible adults) - Vaccines for travelers
(see CDC travel web site for Specifics)
It can sometimes be difficult to understand or keep
track of exactly which vaccines you need. Keep your own
record of vaccines in a book or file. Recommendations
for children, adolescents, and adults are based on a
variety of factors including age, overall health status,
and medical history. Contact your health care provider
for further guidance.
Sources:
Adolescent “Shorts” newsletter. July/August 2005,
Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services.
Volume 7. Number 4.
Center for Disease Control, National Immunization Program, 8/29/2006. http://www.cdc.gov/nip/recs/adult-schedule.htm
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Last Updated 04/20/2008
