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Page: << Prev | 1 | 2 | 3 | Next >> "You get something called herd immunity, although I wish there were a better name for it," he said. "If you get enough people vaccinated, even people who aren't vaccinated are protected, because the disease can't transmit. The virus can't get past the wall of vaccinated people we've created."
Most of the biggest changes in the immunization schedule have targeted preteens ages 11 to 12, Campos-Outcalt said.
There are new immunizations available for meningitis, human papillomavirus (HPV), and tetanus/diphtheria/pertussis in that age range, he said.
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"It's kind of a coincidence," Campos-Outcalt said. "Several vaccines for that age group just kind of came up."
The HPV immunization is unique in that it is the first vaccine that can prevent a form of cancer. Girls are provided the vaccine to prevent the spread of HPV, a sexually transmitted disease that can result in cervical cancer.
The HPV vaccine has been somewhat controversial, with some religious and conservative groups arguing that it promotes promiscuity.
"The issue is explaining the vaccine at a time when neither the child nor the parent want to think about this, when the girl is still preteen," Weida said. "I say, 'This is to prevent cervical cancer, and you have to receive it before you're infected.' "
Unfortunately, some vaccinations have been lagging in teenagers. Researchers have found that immunization goals for children 13 to 17 have fallen short in all the recommended vaccines.
The problem is that most children enter public elementary schools, where there are strict immunization requirements, Weida said. Not as many go on to college, however, where they would face the same requirements.
"There's not the same push if you're not going to college, so they don't think about it," Weida said.
Influenza is another disease receiving a huge immunization push from public health officials. The flu vaccine soon will be recommended for children through age 18, Campos-Outcalt said.
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