Medical Societies Emphasize That Adults Need Vaccines, Too

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Medical Societies Emphasize That Adults Need Vaccines, Too

11/19/2008

The American College of Physicians (ACP) and the Infectious Diseases Society of

America (IDSA) have released a joint statement on the importance of adult

vaccination against an increasing number of vaccine-preventable diseases. The

statement has been endorsed by 17 other medical societies representing a range

of practice areas.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), 95 percent of

vaccine-preventable diseases occur in adults and more than 46,000 adults die of

vaccine-preventable diseases or their complications.

" It is crucial for physicians -- internists, family physicians, and

subspecialists who provide primary and preventive care services for patients,

especially those with chronic diseases -- to discuss and review their adult

patients' vaccination status and either vaccinate them or provide a referral for

recommended vaccines, " said P. , MD, FACP, president of ACP. " We

believe that the Patient-Centered Medical Home model of care -- which in

coordination with the other components of the healthcare delivery system is the

future of healthcare -- will help to increase immunization rates among adults. "

" Thanks to immunization, most children never suffer from vaccine-preventable

diseases but that's not true for their parents or grandparents, " said

Schaffner, MD, FIDSA, MACP, chair of IDSA's Immunization Work Group. " Every

year, hundreds of thousands of adults get sick, miss work, and are hospitalized.

Many adults die because of vaccine-preventable diseases or their complications.

Costs associated with treatment run in the billions. "

Adult vaccination rates range from 26 to 69 percent, depending on the vaccine

and specific target group. ACP and IDSA plan to work with the other medical

societies toward facilitating access to tools and resources to help physicians

encourage adult immunization amongst their patients.

The joint statement includes the following five proposals:

-- Primary and subspecialty physicians should conduct an immunization review at

appropriate adult medical visits to educate patients about the benefits of

vaccination and to assess whether the patient's vaccination status is current,

referring to the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices Adult Immunization

Schedule.

-- When appropriate, physicians should provide or refer patients for recommended

immunizations.

-- Physicians who administer vaccines should ensure appropriate documentation in

the medical record. In addition, documentation of vaccination in other settings,

patient refusal and any contraindications is advisable. The use of immunization

registries and electronic data systems facilitates access to accurate and

complete immunization data.

-- Physicians who refer patients for vaccination also should review and document

the vaccination status of their patients whenever possible.

--Consistent with the CDC Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices and

multiple subspecialty organizations, physicians and their staff should be

immunized consistent with CDC recommendations, with particular attention to

annual influenza immunization.

The list of vaccines that adults should discuss with their physicians includes

influenza, pneumococcal, tetanus-diptheria-pertussis, hepatitis A, hepatitis B,

measles-mumps-rubella, chickenpox (varicella), meningococcal, human

papillomavirus, and shingles (zoster). Specific recommendations vary depending

on age and other factors.

Source: AmericanCollege of Physicians and Infectious Diseases Society of America