http://www.mssny.org/e-news/2002/05May/05.24.02.htm
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Adult Vaccination Hindered by Lack of Patient
Information or Misinformation
While most of the attention given to the vaccine shortage has been focused on
how it is impacting children's health, the "crisis is worrisome" for adults as
well, the Wall Street Journal reports. About 40,000 adults die each year from
diseases that are preventable with vaccines, compared to 100 children, according
to the CDC. A variety of factors, including manufacturing "snafus" and companies
halting production, have contributed to the vaccine shortage. But even when
supplies are "ample," a large number of adults do not receive their recommended
immunizations, the Journal reports. Immunizations often are not discussed during
doctors' office visits, which have been shortened under the constraints of
managed care, the Journal reports. In addition, private insurers and Medicare
often do not reimburse doctors sufficiently for administering a vaccine. Adults
who received vaccines as children are not completely protected because new
research has changed immunization recommendations. For example, in 2000, the CDC
began recommending that people over age 50 receive a vaccine for the flu, which
kills 20,000 people annually, after studies found that they could develop severe
complications from the illness. Previously, the CDC recommended that people over
age 65 get a flu shot. Vaccine distribution also is hindered by a "small but
vocal" anti-vaccine movement that is warning patients about the "rare adverse"
side effects of some vaccines, the Journal reports. Walter Orenstein, chief of
immunizations at the CDC, said, "The big issue is the perceived lack of
vulnerability and the perceived lack of efficacy (of vaccines) by some of the
public."
In news related to childhood vaccination, the FDA has approved Aventis Pasteur's
new formulation of a vaccine that protects children against diphtheria, tetanus
and pertussis. Daptacel is approved for use for the first four doses of the
childhood immunization series that protects against the illnesses. Daptacel's
approval may "ease serious shortages," as doctors started rationing the older
version of the vaccine more than a year ago when two manufacturers stopped
production, leaving Aventis Pasteur as the only supplier of the DTP vaccine.
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LEGAL ADVICE. THE DECISION WHETHER OR NOT TO VACCINATE IS AN IMPORTANT AND
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YOUR HEALTH CARE PROVIDER.