Transcript Adolescent Vaccines - Little Miami Schools

Adolescent
Vaccines
What every parent needs to know!
“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
Why focus on teens?
Teens vaccines are often
missed
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There are several new vaccines that are
recommended
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There have been changes in the recommended
boosters of old vaccines
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Many teens were born after new recommendations
were enacted
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Teens don’t go the doctor as often
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Parents are unaware or unsure of what vaccines are
needed
Meningococcal Disease
What is Meningococcal
Disease?
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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)
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Annual incidence of 3,000 cases
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10% of these cases will die
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20% of those who survive suffer serious long-term
disability, including brain damage, hearing loss,
organ failure and limb amputation
Symptoms of
meningococcal disease
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Often misdiagnosed as something less
serious like the flu
High fever
Severe headache
Stiff neck
Confusion
Vomiting
Rash
How is meningococcal
disease spread?
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It is spread through air droplets and by
direct contact with secretions from
infected persons
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Meningococcal disease can spread
rapidly, often within hours of the first
symptoms
Why are teens at risk?
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Crowded conditions, i.e. schools, dorms
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Sharing beverages and utensils
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Frequent close contact, i.e. kissing
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Irregular sleeping patterns
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Active or passive smoking
Vaccination
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Upwards of 83% of cases among adolescents
and young adults can be prevented with
immunization
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Previously recommended for college
students living in dorms
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Now recommended for all pre-teens and
teens!
Human Papillomavirus (HPV)
What is HPV?
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HPV is a common virus that is spread
through sexual contact.
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Most of the time HPV has no symptoms
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There are several strains of the HPV virus
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Some strains can cause cervical cancer or
genital warts
How serious is HPV?
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8 in 10 women will contract the virus in their
lifetime
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20 million people are currently affected
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14,000 women are diagnosed with cervical cancer
each year and 3,900 of these will die
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Many other women will suffer with long term
complications of the virus such as problems with
fertility
CDC, 2007
HPV Vaccine
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First vaccine developed to prevent
cervical cancer and genital warts
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Given in 3 doses
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Recommended for girls/women ages
9-26 who have not been previously
exposed to the virus
CDC, 2007
Whooping Cough
What is Whooping
Cough?
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Whooping cough, also known as pertussis, is
a serious disease that starts out like a cold
but progresses to severe coughing fits.
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In 2004 there were 25,827 reported cases in
the US, with the largest number of cases in
pre-teens and teens.
CDC, 2007
Symptoms of Whooping
Cough
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Begins like the common cold with a mild
fever, runny nose and cough.
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Progresses to severe coughing fits that have
a characteristic “whoop” sound.
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Coughing fits are often followed by
vomiting.
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Whooping cough can also lead to seizures
and pneumonia
How is whooping cough
spread?
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The disease is spread by airborne droplets when an
infected person coughs or sneezes.
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Whooping cough spreads easily in school settings,
where infected kids come in contact with lots of
other kids.
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The infected kids then spread the disease to family
and community members.
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Most outbreaks start in middle or high schools.
Pertussis Vaccination
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Babies and young children are protected with the
DTaP vaccine.
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Immunity begins to wear off after 5-10 years.
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New guidelines recommend a booster between 11-18
years old.
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The new vaccine is called Tdap and replaces the Td
shot that was previously given to this age group.
Hepatitis B (HBV)
What is Hepatitis B
(HBV)?
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Hepatitis B is a serious liver disease that can affect
people of all ages.
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Chronic infections lead to liver cancer and death.
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Hepatitis B can be known as the “silent killer”
because it often affects people without making them
feel sick.
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Medicines may not work at treating the disease.
How is Hepatitis B
spread?
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The virus is found in the blood and
body fluids of infected people.
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The virus is most often spread through
sexual contact or by sharing needles
and other drug paraphenalia.
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It can also be spread in households of
infected persons.
Why should I worry?
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There are 79,000 new infections per year in
the US.
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12.5 million people in the US have chronic
HBV infection and are at risk for cirrhosis
and liver cancer.
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11,000 people are hospitalized yearly.
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5,000 people die each year.
CDC, 2007
Vaccination
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Many teens were born before the
vaccine became required for school
entry.
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3 doses given over a 6 month period.
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HBV vaccine is recognized as the first
anti-cancer vaccine because it can
prevent liver cancer.
Chickenpox (Varicella)
Chickenpox facts
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Chickenpox is caused by the varicella zoster
and causes a itchy rash and fever.
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Although most cases are mild, it can
progress to severe skin infections, swelling
of the brain and pneumonia.
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Adolescents and adults are at the most risk
for severe disease.
CDC, 2007
Chickenpox can hurt you.
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Prior to vaccination….
4 million cases annually
10,600 hospitalizations
100-150 deaths
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Since vaccination….
88% decrease in cases
88% decrease in hospitalizations
90% decrease in deaths
CDC, 2007
Vaccination
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2 doses of vaccine are recommended
now.
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Previously only one dose was given
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Many teens were born before the
recommendations and may not have
received the vaccine or only received
one dose.
Are there other vaccines?
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Flu, pneumococcal, Hepatitis A
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Recommended for specific groups, such as
teens with asthma or teens who may be
traveling abroad.
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Ask your physician for more information
about which vaccines your teen needs
Are vaccines safe?
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Vaccines take years to develop and are
tested in many trials prior to approval.
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Even after a vaccine is licensed the FDA and
CDC continue to gather information on
effectiveness, adverse reactions and safety.
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Millions of doses of vaccines are given each
year without complication.
CDC, 2007
How can I help prevent
communicable disease?
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Proper hand washing and hygiene
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Vaccination
References and
Resources
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Centers for Disease Control (CDC)
www.cdc.gov
American Academy of Pediatrics
www.aap.org
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Immunization Action Coalition www.vaccineinformation.org
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National Meningitis Association www.nmaus.org
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Institute for Vaccine Safety
www.vaccinesafety.edu