Adolescent Vaccines

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Adolescent Vaccines

• What every parent needs to know!

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Vaccines are among the greatest public
health achievements of the 20th century.
Immunizations can prevent disability and death
from infectious diseases for individuals and can
help control the spread of infections within
communities

• Healthy People 2010

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Why focus on teens?
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Teens vaccines are often missed

• There are several new vaccines that are
  recommended
• There have been changes in the recommended
  boosters of old vaccines
• Many teens were born after new recommendations
  were enacted
• Teens dont go the doctor as often
• Parents are unaware or unsure of what vaccines
  are needed

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Meningococcal Disease
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What is Meningococcal Disease?

• Meningococcal disease is a potentially fatal
  bacterial infection that can cause severe
  swelling of the brain and spinal cord
  (meningitis) or a serious blood infection
  (meningococcemia)
• Annual incidence of 3,000 cases
• 10 of these cases will die
• 20 of those who survive suffer serious long-term
  disability, including brain damage, hearing loss,
  organ failure and limb amputation

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Symptoms of meningococcal disease

• Often misdiagnosed as something less serious like
  the flu
• High fever
• Severe headache
• Stiff neck
• Confusion
• Vomiting
• Rash

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How is meningococcal disease spread?

• It is spread through air droplets and by direct
  contact with secretions from infected persons
• Meningococcal disease can spread rapidly, often
  within hours of the first symptoms

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Why are teens at risk?

• Crowded conditions, i.e. schools, dorms
• Sharing beverages and utensils
• Frequent close contact, i.e. kissing
• Irregular sleeping patterns
• Active or passive smoking

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Vaccination

• Upwards of 83 of cases among adolescents and
  young adults can be prevented with immunization
• Previously recommended for college students
  living in dorms
• Now recommended for all pre-teens and teens!

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Human Papillomavirus (HPV)
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What is HPV?

• HPV is a common virus that is spread through
  sexual contact.
• Most of the time HPV has no symptoms
• There are several strains of the HPV virus
• Some strains can cause cervical cancer or genital
  warts

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How serious is HPV?

• 8 in 10 women will contract the virus in their
  lifetime
• 20 million people are currently affected
• 14,000 women are diagnosed with cervical cancer
  each year and 3,900 of these will die
• Many other women will suffer with long term
  complications of the virus such as problems with
  fertility
• CDC, 2007

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HPV Vaccine

• First vaccine developed to prevent cervical
  cancer and genital warts
• Given in 3 doses
• Recommended for girls/women ages 9-26 who have
  not been previously exposed to the virus
• CDC, 2007

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Whooping Cough
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What is Whooping Cough?

• Whooping cough, also known as pertussis, is a
  serious disease that starts out like a cold but
  progresses to severe coughing fits.
• In 2004 there were 25,827 reported cases in the
  US, with the largest number of cases in pre-teens
  and teens.
• CDC, 2007

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Symptoms of Whooping Cough

• Begins like the common cold with a mild fever,
  runny nose and cough.
• Progresses to severe coughing fits that have a
  characteristic whoop sound.
• Coughing fits are often followed by vomiting.
• Whooping cough can also lead to seizures and
  pneumonia

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How is whooping cough spread?

• The disease is spread by airborne droplets when
  an infected person coughs or sneezes.
• Whooping cough spreads easily in school settings,
  where infected kids come in contact with lots of
  other kids.
• The infected kids then spread the disease to
  family and community members.
• Most outbreaks start in middle or high schools.

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Pertussis Vaccination

• Babies and young children are protected with the
  DTaP vaccine.
• Immunity begins to wear off after 5-10 years.
• New guidelines recommend a booster between 11-18
  years old.
• The new vaccine is called Tdap and replaces the
  Td shot that was previously given to this age
  group.

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Hepatitis B (HBV)
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What is Hepatitis B (HBV)?

• Hepatitis B is a serious liver disease that can
  affect people of all ages.
• Chronic infections lead to liver cancer and
  death.
• Hepatitis B can be known as the silent killer
  because it often affects people without making
  them feel sick.
• Medicines may not work at treating the disease.

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How is Hepatitis B spread?

• The virus is found in the blood and body fluids
  of infected people.
• The virus is most often spread through sexual
  contact or by sharing needles and other drug
  paraphenalia.
• It can also be spread in households of infected
  persons.

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Why should I worry?

• There are 79,000 new infections per year in the
  US.
• 12.5 million people in the US have chronic HBV
  infection and are at risk for cirrhosis and liver
  cancer.
• 11,000 people are hospitalized yearly.
• 5,000 people die each year.
• CDC, 2007

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Vaccination

• Many teens were born before the vaccine became
  required for school entry.
• 3 doses given over a 6 month period.
• HBV vaccine is recognized as the first
  anti-cancer vaccine because it can prevent liver
  cancer.

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Chickenpox (Varicella)
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Chickenpox facts

• Chickenpox is caused by the varicella zoster and
  causes a itchy rash and fever.
• Although most cases are mild, it can progress to
  severe skin infections, swelling of the brain and
  pneumonia.
• Adolescents and adults are at the most risk for
  severe disease.
• CDC, 2007

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Chickenpox can hurt you.

• Prior to vaccination.
• 4 million cases annually
• 10,600 hospitalizations
• 100-150 deaths
• Since vaccination.
• 88 decrease in cases
• 88 decrease in hospitalizations
• 90 decrease in deaths
• CDC, 2007

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Vaccination

• 2 doses of vaccine are recommended now.
• Previously only one dose was given
• Many teens were born before the recommendations
  and may not have received the vaccine or only
  received one dose.

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Are there other vaccines?

• Flu, pneumococcal, Hepatitis A
• Recommended for specific groups, such as teens
  with asthma or teens who may be traveling abroad.
• Ask your physician for more information about
  which vaccines your teen needs

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Are vaccines safe?

• Vaccines take years to develop and are tested in
  many trials prior to approval.
• Even after a vaccine is licensed the FDA and CDC
  continue to gather information on effectiveness,
  adverse reactions and safety.
• Millions of doses of vaccines are given each year
  without complication.
• CDC, 2007

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How can I help prevent communicable disease?

• Proper hand washing and hygiene
• Vaccination

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References and Resources

• Centers for Disease Control (CDC)
• www.cdc.gov
• American Academy of Pediatrics
• www.aap.org
• Immunization Action Coalition www.vaccineinformati
  on.org
• National Meningitis Association www.nmaus.org
• Institute for Vaccine Safety
• www.vaccinesafety.edu