Immunization Newsbriefs (c) Copyright Information Inc., Bethesda, MD. Brought to you by the National Network for Immunization Information (NNii). Visit NNii's new website at http://www.immunizationinfo.org.

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January 24, 2003

U.S. IMMUNIZATION NEWS

"Shots Aren't Just Kid Stuff But Are Vital for Adults"

Seattle Times (seattletimes.nwsource.com) (01/22/03) P. F1; Vann, Korky

For many adults, immunizations are not thought of as routine medical care or necessary as they age, but it is that perception that is deadly to thousands of older adults every year.  Statistics show that almost 40,000 adults die from vaccine-preventable diseases or their complications every year.  The American Society of Internal Medicine says that senior citizens are 100 times more likely to die from a vaccine-preventable disease than their grandchildren.  There is a push on, however, to educate both seniors and physicians about the fact that age is not a factor when it comes to immunizations.  The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the American College of Physicians recommend the following immunizations for

adults: influenza, pneumonia, tetanus, diphtheria, and hepatitis. Statistically, in the United States, half of the deaths caused by tetanus are among adults over 50 years of age, and during the flu season, 90 percent of the influenza and pneumonia deaths are among people aged 65 and older.

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