How Vaccines Help

Also see http://www.vaccinateyourbaby.org

CHICKENPOX VACCINATION RESULTS IN DRAMATIC DROP IN DISEASE

Vaccination against varicella (chickenpox) has dramatically reduced the number of children who are infected, hospitalized and killed by the virus each year in the United States, according to the review article, “Varicella Prevention in the United States: A Review of Successes and Challenges.” After implementation of the varicella vaccination program in 1995, varicella incidence declined 90 percent by 2005. The number of varicella-related hospitalizations declined 75 percent to 88 percent. Deaths declined by more than 74 percent in people under age 50, with the greatest declines among children ages 1 to 4 years (92 percent) and 5 to 9 years (89 percent). Inpatient and outpatient medical costs associated with varicella declined 74 percent. However, even with high vaccination coverage, the effectiveness of one dose of vaccine did not generate enough herd immunity to prevent the transmission of the virus within the community. In 2006 the varicella vaccination policy was changed to recommend two doses, which in one clinical trial have shown better immune response and protection against disease.

PEDIATRICS 9/08

A SHOT IN THE ARM HELPS PARENTS PROTECT THEIR NEWBORNS AGAINST WHOOPING COUGH

Immunizing parents while they’re in the hospital caring for a newborn is an effective way to prevent the transmission of pertussis, or whooping cough, to vulnerable infants, according to the study, “Administration of Tetanus, Diphtheria, and Acellular Pertussis Vaccine to Parents of High-Risk Infants in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit.” Infants in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) who have chronic respiratory illness often have immature airways, making them particularly susceptible to respiratory diseases such as pertussis. If they contract pertussis, these infants are hospitalized at a rate of three to seven times more often than other children. A major source of disease transmission is individuals in close contact with the infants, especially the new parents. This study examined a new method to increase adult vaccination rates for pertussis to create a “cocoon” of immunity around the infant. An information sheet explaining the dangers of pertussis and the benefits of vaccination was placed at the infant’s bedside in the NICU. This program resulted in an overall vaccination rate of 86.9 percent (430) of the informed parents. The authors state that immunizing parents while they are in the hospital caring for a newborn is an effective method of increasing adult vaccination rates and preventing the spread of disease to newborns and infants.

PEDIATRICS 9/08