Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices

The Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) recently held two important meetings to review data on vaccines for influenza, hepatitis, pneumococcal disease, shingles, and other diseases, and to approve the new Janssen COVID-19 vaccine. Marla Dalton, executive director and CEO of the National Foundation for Infectious Diseases (NFID), talks with NFID Medical Director William Schaffner, MD, about the significance of these meetings for healthcare professionals and the public …

Read recent vaccine-related news of interest from the world of infectious diseases

While overall US teen vaccine coverage has increased, more education and stronger provider recommendations are needed to boost human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination rates…

Nine important updates on shingles (herpes zoster) vaccination…

2017 featured continued activity in the world of infectious diseases – from hepatitis A outbreaks nationally, to an increased focus on antibiotic resistance across the globe. Read the top 5 infectious disease stories of 2017…

In the US, an estimated 850,000-2.2 million individuals are chronically infected with the hepatitis B virus and each year, approximately 30,000-50,000 cases of hepatitis A occur. New cases of hepatitis B infection in the US had been decreasing until recently; however, in recent years, acute cases of hepatitis B have increased and there have been several outbreaks of hepatitis A.

Through our collective efforts we can help routinize using the 16-year-old visit to include recommended and catch-up vaccines. Together, we can help healthcare professionals and the public become more aware of, and motivated to comply with, US vaccine recommendations and, ultimately, help protect older teens against vaccine-preventable diseases.

Hepatitis is an inflammation of the liver and is often caused by a virus. There are several types of hepatitis viruses but in the US, the most common types are Hepatitis A, B, and C. Millions are living with viral hepatitis but most do not know they are infected. People can live with chronic hepatitis for decades without having symptoms. Two vaccines are currently available to help prevent viral hepatitis in adolescents…

Recent items of interest from the world of infectious diseases including the latest influenza vaccine recommendations, new policies from AAP to boost childhood immunization rates, new guidelines for the treatment of common sexually transmitted diseases, Zika in the US, and the FDA ban on some common antibacterial ingredients in soaps and body washes.

As a mother, I’m certainly thinking about all the things I can do to keep my family safe and healthy for the upcoming school year. As a pediatrician, I also know that this is the perfect time of year to remind parents that on-time vaccination is the best way to protect infants, young children, and teens against 16 serious and potentially deadly diseases.

The Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) recommends that all healthcare professionals receive hepatitis B, influenza, Tdap, MMR, and varicella vaccinations, to reduce the chances of contracting or spreading vaccine-preventable diseases.

Immunizations are an essential component of disease prevention and control. Preventing healthcare-associated transmission of infectious diseases protects patients, HCPs, their families, and their communities.